Age ain't nothin' but a number

MOSES LAKE — People are the center of 89-year-old Glenn Schneider's world.

Whether he's out in the yard gardening, sharing memories of his days growing up in Hemingford, Neb., or volunteering at the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce, he is always aware of those around him.

"Number one is people," said Schneider. "There's nothing in the world like people."

Born May 15, 1915, Schneider grew up in an era when $1 bought five gallons worth of gas, 75 cents got a guy a decent haircut and a pony was the transportation of choice to make the several mile trek to school.

A retired bank manager, Schneider first came to the Columbia Basin in the 1950s to Othello, later moving to various parts of the Basin and eventually to Moses Lake where he has resided for the last seven years.

His first impression when he first arrived in the Basin: It was and still is a place much like his native Nebraska.

That is, he said, except for a lack of water to grow crops, something Schneider played his own part in remedying by administering loans through his bank to help bring irrigation water to the area.

"You can't take the farmer out of the man," said daughter Karen Wagner of her father who comes from a long line of farmers.

Looking back on his years as a banking businessman, the memories Schneider holds most dear are those of people.

"That has been my greatest thing. In all my working years of life, there's nothing like people," said Schneider.

Later endeavors would bring Schneider to take up positions as president of both the Othello and Warden Chamber of Commerce. These positions, and time spent volunteering with Kiwanis and beautifying the Warden cemetery where blossoms still bloom on the plants placed there by the group years ago, are just some of many activities he has participated in out of a passion for human interaction with others.

"It's something you do for and with people," he said.

With his 90th birthday right around the corner, volunteering isn't the only thing keeping Schneider busy these days.

An avid collector of coins, lover of outdoor activities such as gardening and bird watching and fan of the tunes of Lawrence Welk and Glen Miller, there is little time that goes unfilled in Schneider's life.

"Hobbies help a person blossom," said Schneider.

Making a few glances to her father as he talks about his daily ritual of getting up at 5:30 a.m. every morning and reading the newspaper, Wagner, who manages the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce where her father volunteers between six and eight hours every month, describes him as someone who does not shy away from keeping up to date on the latest events.

Among other strong points, is Schneider's neverending sense of humor that is always overflowing with witty comments, as demonstrated by his reply when asked what has been one of the riskiest things he has ever done in his nearly 90 years.

"What you wanna call it, getting married?" said Schneider in reference to his late wife Hazel who passed away in 1978.

Yet Schneider is almost speechless when asked about his greatest achievement, bringing him back to his love of being what one might call a social butterfly of sorts.

"You have to understand, be with and part of people," he said.

The same drive to be around others is what keeps this young-at-heart country man brimming full with humor.

"During my life it has been much easier to be happy, congenial with people," said Schneider, whose life motto is what keeps him going.

"I can, I will," he said with the confidence of a young 20 year old.

For such a simple statement, it is one Schneider has passed on to his daughter Wagner and several grandchildren.

"He has led by example more than by words," said Wagner.

In a world where all too often interdependence on others is frowned upon, Schneider knows otherwise.

"You can't be just one person," he said.

Looking over to her father, whose hearing is about the only visible health problem he has, Wagner shares a sentimental moment with a man whose legacy, she believes, will be that of the lives of others he has touched.

"Life's like a continuing story, isn't it,?" she said.

"Yep," Schneider replies.