WILLIAM "DAVE" SCHNAITHMANN

William David Schnaithmann, of Penn Lake, died November 19 after a long decline in health, just a few weeks after his75th birthday. He was an outdoor enthusiast all his life. He never had a desk job, rather enjoyed years as a tree surgeon, a whitewater guide on the Leigh River, a lift attendant and snow crew at the ski resorts of Jack Frost and Big Boulder, Hickory Run State Park maintenance crew and maintenance at White Haven Center. As a high school student at Methacton High School in Montgomery County, his sport of choice was throwing the javelin. He was coached by Al Cantello who was a competitor in the 1960 US Olympics. Dave held the school record for longest javelin throw for many years.
He was also an excellent story-teller, including many funny stories about two abandoned animals rescued by him and his brothers: Coonie the raccoon and Pete the crow. He was a Navy Vet of four years and shared many stories of his time in Guam and Japan during the Vietnam War years. Dave’s favorite time was spent canoeing and camping. Many of his trips were to St. Regis Canoe Area in New York state, and on the Delaware River. His other outdoor joys were riding his bike, often 30-40 miles, and splitting wood for the wood burning stove. He also made maple syrup by tapping the red maple trees on our property.

He is survived by his wife, Karen, of 51 years. They have one daughter, Melanie, married to Aaron Persons with his two children in Danville, VT. He has one brother, John “Skip” and two sisters Marilyn and Joanne. He was predeceased in death by his parents and one brother, Jim.

Now he is paddling his canoe across a clear, beautiful lake with the loons calling in the distance.

Arrangements by Lehman Family Funeral Service.

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