Frederick Stephens Schnell's Obituary
Frederick Stephens Schnell of Gainesville, Florida, age 92, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 3, 2026. Known to all as Steve, he lived a full and purposeful life marked by devotion to family, service to others, and a deep love for his community.
Steve was born in Durham, North Carolina on July 27, 1933 as the first of two children to Elizabeth Stephens and Herman Walker Schnell. Steve spent his early childhood years in Chapel Hill, NC, where his mother was a piano teacher and his father worked in the Department of Physical Education at the University of North Carolina (UNC). After a leave from UNC to serve with the Army during WWII, his father accepted a position at the University of Florida and moved the family to Gainesville. Steve attended PK Yonge, graduating in the class of 1951. He then went on to attend the University of Florida, where he not only earned his degree but also lettered on the Gator baseball team – an achievement he always carried with pride.
Enrolling next in the School of Dentistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Steve graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in 1958. On July 19th of that year, he married the love of his life, Patricia Smysor Schnell, at the United Methodist Church of Gainesville. Shortly thereafter, the couple moved to Quantico, Virginia, where Steve proudly served his country as a Lieutenant in the Dental Core of the United States Navy. Then in the fall of 1960, Steve returned to Gainesville to be closer to family. Dr. Schnell started his private dental practice in town, where for decades he served his patients with skill, integrity, and kindness. He and Patty also started their family in 1960, when their daughter Karen was born. A year later they had a son, Ben, named after Steve’s maternal grandfather.
Steve and his family were active members of the First Baptist Church of Gainesville. A true family-man, Steve enjoyed traveling with his wife and children, nurturing strong family ties with his extended family who lived mostly in Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. The couple was thrilled when their adult children later married and then gave them grandchildren, four boys, all born between 1992 and 1999. Steve took great pleasure in spending time playing with his grandsons, who in turn enjoyed their grandfather immensely.
An avid jogger and handball player, Steve would be seen jogging on the sidewalks of Gainesville long before jogging was a popular thing, and often he could be found on the University of Florida three-wall handball courts. He traveled with the family to many handball tournaments across the state - often taking a first, second, or third place title in his division. Steve’s love for the sport was legendary among friends and competitors. So deep was his enthusiasm that he built a handball court in his own home, creating a personal haven where he could play, practice, and host his own tournaments.
Steve’s warm smile, honesty, wit, dedication, and quiet strength touched countless lives. He will be remembered as a loving husband and father, a committed professional, and a man who found joy in both his family and his faith. His legacy will live on in the family he cherished, the patients he served, the handball friends he made, and the many lives he touched throughout his long and meaningful life. He will be sorely missed by all.
Steve was predeceased by his devoted parents, Herman Walker Schnell and Elizabeth Stephens Schnell, and his younger sister Sarah “Sally” Virginia Peninger.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Patricia Smysor Schnell, his daughter Karen Elizabeth Schnell (Timothy), his son Benjamin Herman Schnell (Peggy), his grandsons Kyle Stephens Schnell (MaryAnne), Alexander Benjamin Schnell (Carly), Nathan James Nord, and Joshua Dayne Nord.
The family invites you to share memories and condolences on Steve’s memorial page. Should you wish to remember Steve at this time with a monetary gift, donations are welcome at the University of Florida College of Health and Human Performance in support of the “Herman W. Schnell Endowed Scholarship and Fellowship Fund” (https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/007487-herman-w-schnell-endowed-scholarship-and-fellowship-fund/), or to the Foundation for the Promotion of Music in support of the “Betsy Schnell Piano Award.” (https://www.thefpm.org/).
A joint Celebration of Life service, to remember Steve and Patty, will be held at 3 pm on Saturday February 28th at the First Baptist Church of Gainesville. A small reception will follow the service in the church’s fellowship hall.
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