NORWALK, CONN Robert C. Schnackel of Norwalk passed away on Monday, March 07, 2011 in the VA Hospital of West Haven, following a long illness. He was 65. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on November 6, 1945, Bob was the son of the late Jay W. and Katherine (Ford) Schnackel. As a child, he relocated to Poughkeepsie, NY for a short time before moving to Darien, Conn. He attended the Rectory School in Pomfret, CT and graduated in 1964 from the Darrow School of New Lebanon. He continued his education at Washington College of Chestertown, MD, where he obtained a degree of philosophy in 1968. After college, he enlisted in the United States Army and served our Nation during the Vietnam War. While in Vietnam, Bob received a multitude of citations, including the Purple Heart, Two Bronze Stars, and a rare Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. Proud of his service, he became a longtime member of the American Legion Post # 12, the DAV and the VFW Post #603, all of Norwalk. One of Bob's passions was to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which he and his wife, Bea volunteered for over twenty years. He was a private man who enjoyed spending all his time with his beloved late wife, Beatrice "Bea" (Draper) Schnackel, who passed away on November 3, 2007. Bob loved being around people with a positive attitude and enjoyed a joke or two. He admired the innocence of children and the beauty of animals. Another love was visiting his sister at the Cape and harvesting cranberries in the Fall. Bob is survived by one brother, Donald C. Schnackel of Akron, OH; one sister, Katherine D. Sargent of South Dennis, Cape Cod, Mass; his mother in law, Marion T. Draper of Rowayton and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding in death were a sister, Mary Louise Jordan and a brother, Jay F. Schnackel. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 12, 2011 in Norwalk's Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 5 East Wall Street from 9:00AM - 10:00AM. Services, including interment with full military honors will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice. HOYT-COGNETTA is honored to assist the family with the arrangements.
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