Sigma Pi Alumni Foundation

Gerald "Gerry" Schneck

April 24, 1948 - December 8, 2020

Schneck, Gerald "Gerry" 72 of Mankato, passed away December 8, 2020 at home after battling chronic leukemia. A celebration of his life will be announced in 2021. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to their favorite charity in Gerry's name. Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family. Gerry was born on April 24, 1948 in Minneapolis, MN to Robert and Betty Schneck. He grew up in Minneapolis and would fondly recall how he once became lost in a cornfield that later became the parking lot for Southdale Center in Edina. During his childhood, Gerry took instruction and direction from the renowned Larry Malmberg playing and performing on the accordion and competed in numerous national competitions. Upon graduation from Southwest High School in 1966, Gerry obtained his undergraduate and master degrees at University of Wisconsin-Stout. He graduated in 1980 from the University of Minnesota with a Doctorate of Philosophy majoring in Vocational Education with supporting fields in Rehabilitation Counseling and Special Education. Gerry played out his lifelong dedication to education as a Professor of Rehabilitation and Vocational Counseling at Minnesota State University Mankato, where he enjoyed teaching and advising students from 1982 to 2011. He also established the first university-based advanced graduate program for rehabilitation professionals in Forensic Vocational Rehabilitation (2001-2011). He took pride in his active military reserve service of 18 years in the U. S. Army Reserve. His last post was with HQ, 88th U.S. Army Reserve Command Ft. Snelling, MN where he attained the rank of Master Sergeant in 1988. While serving in the reserve, Gerry was awarded a 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster (1987) a U. S. Army Commendation Medal, as Instructor, U. S. Army Forces Command Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program. He became a member of Veterans for Peace. Gerry was known for his humor and had an outgoing and friendly personality. He was the family's "travel agent" researching many destinations that resulted in delightful trips to Montana and Europe. He could go anywhere in the world and run into someone he knew and he always did whenever he would go on vacation. He ran with friends in the Twin Cities and Grandma's Marathons. Using the carpentry skills he learned working for his father's construction company, Gerry and his son Steven built a deck for their home. Along with being an avid reader, he painted with watercolors, in his later years. He was actively involved in St. John's Episcopal Church for 30 years. While teaching at MSUM, he met his wife Pam also a university employee. They were married in 1988 and were blessed with 32 years together. When their son Steven was born, he became the delight of their lives. Gerry was a lovingly involved father who took Tae Kwon Do lessons with his son, participated in scouting meetings and events, and also attended his son's soccer games. Another fond memory was when Gerry and Steven built their first computer together. He took time out of his full schedule to help his family, friends and others. Gerry touched many lives throughout his life leaving his special imprint with them. Gerry is survived by his spouse, Pam Bartholomew, son Steven Schneck, and siblings Barbara (John) Rochford, Dennis (Betsy) Schneck, and sisters-in-law Deborah Schneck and Sally (Edward) Moore, uncle Ralph Heath, nieces and nephews Elizabeth (Mat) Wright, Julie Rochford, Abby Schneck, Michael Rochford, and Robert Schneck along with many cousins, great nieces and nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather Charles Schwanke, brother Lawrence Schneck, and nephew Christopher Schneck.