Battalion Chief, Battalion 9-C
Deceased:
April 6, 2017
Appointed:
06/21/1954
Pensioned:
Service, 04/20/2007 – Battalion 9C
Details about the memorial service
Additional Information:
B.C. Lawrence D. Schneider Has also served on the L.A. County F.D. from 12/28/43 to 9/15/49 Torrance F.D. from 9/15/49 to 6/21/54 then on L.A. City from 6/21/54 to 4/29/07 where he retired as Battalion 9-C B.C Schneider is the Father of Larry P.Schneider who is retired Capt.II LAFD.
A SECOND CELEBRATION WILL BE HELD ON 04/30/17 at 10:00 am
THE FIRE MUSEUM
1335 S. CAHUENGA BLVD.
LOS ANGELES,CA 90028
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Larry, such a profound loss, not only for your family and for our Fire families. I was proud to serve with the Chief, I myself and my career in the Fire Service are definitely better for it! I actually saw him at a Home Depot many years ago, where he commented on an FDNY tee shirt I received from Austin FD, that they had made to commemorate 911. He liked it so much we walked outside to my truck and I literally gave him the shirt off my back. I’m not the only person that felt that way about your dad, I’m sure there’s hundreds possibly even thousands more that would have done the same thing.I am deeply sorry for your loss. May he Rest In Peace.
RIP Chief Schneider.
Knew Larry when he was the BC on the east side running out of FS 17. I was a capt I at 2s, and even with an address in our district, it was hard to beat Larry to the location!!! A man with a VERY long FD History!! RIP
I was injured at a fire as a rookie, and was unconscious for several hours. When I woke up, Chief Schneider was at my bedside. He made sure the nurses knew that I was one of LA City’s finest, and that I should get the finest care. He looked out for me after that, including allowing me to drive him whenever George went on a detail. I got caught in the kitchen many nights with him where he told fire stories and shared his experiences, which ultimately increased my understanding and situational awareness of emergency operations.
What I remember most is his love for the job, and how well he treated me at a time when our Department was not so nice.
Rest In Peace Chief!
Larry Schneider dedicated his life to the fire service. He was a firefighter extraordinaire, the epitome of leadership by example, a natural leader, and a great motivator. Thanks for those many years, God’s speed Larry.
I am sure this comment section is going to light up like a Christmas tree. Larry was truly a “character of the game”. His personality lit up many fire station kitchens. He once wrote me a “Notice of Commendation” many years ago. The truth is…he deserved the commendation…not me. I think his finest quality was his willingness to cover your back…even if it meant breaking rank. Ed Sandell LAFD ret.
I had the opportunity to work for Chief Schneider in Batt 1, and then again in Batt 9. I got to see first hand what an excellent fire ground
chief he was. His dedication to the fire service was unmatched. Tough as nails, and a great story teller! Rest in Peace Chief.
I was one of the fortunate ones to have worked with Larry in several assignments. I am sure we will never find anyone more dedicated to the fire service and firefighting, always willing to share his knowledge and experience. He was always generous and caring with people in need and will be missed by all. Rest in peace Larry.
This is an extremely personal loss.
My boss, mentor and loyal friend.
Rest in peace. You will never be forgotten.
My Dad, Max Myers, had worked with Chief Schneider back in the “good ole days” as he used to say. So when my husband, Don Paone, worked with Chief Schneider at 9’s I always included my Dad for any station holiday meals when Schneider was working. Those 2 long lost friends would get together in a corner and reminisce. Always amazed the stories they could remember like yesterday. I’m sure some would raise an eyebrow today but good to see them have the opportunity to reconnect.
I met Cheif Scheider when my husband was a Boot. He actually scared me at first lol… later through the years our paths would cross again at a LAFD vs LAPD Football game. What a pleasure it was to sit,chat,laugh and I thought… why I was ever afraid him!!!
GODspeed Chief Schneider
GOD Bless your Family and Friends you leave behind =-(
We worked together when I was assigned to Division I and later Division II. Most knowledgable firefighting officer I ever worked with. Learned much from his experience in the harbor, airport, brush, high rise, etc. He was truly a LAFD legend.
I am the daughter of Retired LAFD Captain George A. Bauman. My Dad worked with Larry at the beginning of his career and again after he became a Captain towards the end of his career. Dad always spoke so highly of the time spent with Larry on the department. At home we enjoyed many stories that came out of their time together. I have had the pleasure of meeting Larry. My husband, Retired Fire Fighter, Rick Reyes, worked with Larry Jr. at Station 50’s for a couple of years. Larry’s very long career and dedication to the LAFD Family is impressive to say the least. I was very touched when he and Larry Jr. were with Dad and our family at Mom’s Memorial gathering. He was a mentor for Dad and a true blue friend for many years. He will be missed.
I remember going to a Major Emergency, 6 story Center Hallway fire on 5th & Wall………we threw the aerial to the roof and a “50” to the 4th floor. I think there were a total of four “Bangers” used at the fire. Chief Schneider could hardly contain himself as he surveyed all the ladders. He loved the 50 ft. Banger.
Rest In Peace
A great loss. Truly “A Fireman’s, Fireman”. I worked a lot of SOD at FS 33’s and was very fortunate to have worked with “Larry Lume-up” as we affectionately called TFC Schneider at that time…1st busiest house in the City. Nobody could beat me to the rigs, but Chief Schneider did. We’d swear he slept sitting in the Truck. After a “structure”, if he had Rookies, you could expect a blackboard drill over coffee in the kitchen. He seldom got on the Truck without wearing his ax, and not only looked like a real “Smoke Eater”, but walked the walk. All of us will miss him…just wonderful stories about this LAFD “Legend”. Rest in peace Chief Schneider.
My deepest condolences to Family and Friends,
Bob Duncan
LAFD, retired
What a Loss, Chief Schneider was my first Chief doing out of the tower and i learned allot from him, not just during that time but all my year on the department. I will always remember all those late nights in old 17’s kitchen listening to him tell all the stories and learning. We have last a real historian of this department. I am so glad he made it to my retirement and I was able to thank him for all he did for me. Rest in peace and my condolences to his family.
Enough cannot be said of this man. Accolades upon accolades, all earned, but he never wanted them.
Do your job and you were one of his team.
Gary hogged him to himself, but I would drive him anywhere, anytime. So many stories that sometimes they overlapped but thats OK, each of them had a point to make and it made me do my job better. Pointing out buildings that there was a fire in 40 years ago and he still remembered the floor plan.
The ultimate Pre-fire planner and educator.
Chief, I missed you when you retired, but I will miss you more now because I won’t see you for awhile.
Saying “Thank you for everything that you did for me in my career” is not enough.
I know one thing, GOD is learning how to put 2 1/2s into operation on the second floor right now.
THE EAGLE HAS LANDED
Met Larry when I was a rookie – we were enroute to Central Receiving together in an ambulance (the old Brown Bombers).
I got to learn from him at 66s, 33s, 9s, and again at 37s. Then he taught me even more when he dropped in often at OCD (now MFC, huh!). What a wonderful firefighting machine – I gained a lot, getting to work for him for around fifteen years.
Best wishes to Larry, Jr. for your family loss.
As a boot in 1074 @ old 30s, my 4th shift Cap said I was cooking. Got a business call from “Cap Schneider at 9’s to count in for lunch. Truck only.
Seems 9’s said he was up to cook. He said no,and they said yes. He said OK, told his guys suit up w/ gear and ate @ 30s and played handball all day .
Not sure how 9’s made out but he was truly an individual that will be an icon for many years to come.
Rest In Peace, for your legacy will never be forgotten.
Well played …… “loom up ” ..
you own the “pension sniper ” !
May God provide strength and comfort to the Schneider Family during this difficult time.
During my career, our paths crossed many times at greater alarm incidents. I always looked forward to his participation and comments at the fire critiques. Better yet, sometimes we would see one another a day or two later and I would ask him what he really thought. He visited the Harbor Museum frequently and would eat lunch with us. He could always relate a great story on many fire-
fighting pieces on display that he had personally used at fires or helped improve upon. He loved the fire service. RIP
My first Captain at T-66 BTF (Before Task Force). Went to Division Eval. on first shift. He put me in the tiller bucket for the ride to DT40, and told me not to turn the wheel. At the tower, we threw all of the ladders (including the bangor), threw and tied the life line, and he even had me shoot the life gun. When I asked where I was to aim, the A/O, Roger Hirdler, said just aim at the light on top of the tower, You guessed it. Hit it dead center. I thought I was toast. We had two structure fires on that first shift, and Truck Captain Schneider put me through the paces. However, I learned that he never asked any of his firefighters to do anything that he wouldn’t. I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to serve under his command.
I remember working at old 33’s and watching TF66 come down Florence. A/O Bullock driving at breakneck speed and Larry on the siren, both pedal to the metal. We would stand out on the apron and salute as they went to the box at 62’nd and Central. The Goodyear plant. That box was good twice a day and once or twice at night.
Later I had the fortune of being one of his reliefs in Battalion 18.
After all the rumors that I heard about difficult he was to work with, I found that some of them were true, but mostly all were false. If you did your job there was no problem. When I came in in the mornings he was already to take off, he never left any report or paper work for me, he took care of what ever had to be done. When he relieved me, I could find it hard to get away. He always had a story to tell “they should have never gotten rid of the mechanical siren”. At Chief Officers meetings I would sit next to him, even after he warned me that it was not good for me. Just before a break he would say “watch this, I’m going to sit next to so and so and ruin his career”.
Rest in Peace, I will always value your friendship and humor.
Working with Larry Schneider was like having a window into the Golden Years of the L.A.F.D. There was never a doubt about his passion for the fire service or the people that he worked with. Years ago when I was off duty with a heart problem Chief Schneider was the only “Gold Badge” to send me a get well card and he often called to inquire about how I was doing. At that time Chief Schneider wasn’t even in my chain of command. My condolences to the entire Schneider Family. Thank you for your service, Rest in Peace Chief!
Chief /schneider was a very intimidating guy when I was a boot in Batt 2 and later in Batt 13. But, he was always teaching something important each time he took someone aside. Later, I worked with him in Batt. 9. I was badly injured while at FS71 and Larry Schneider was at my hospital bed checking on how I was doing every shift. He never knew how much I appreciated those visits. What a caring and big hearted man he was for his firefighters!!!
This is what I wrote for the submission to the Widows & Orphans for Larry. He will be missed…
There is a gentleman amongst us that has just gone onto a better life. I have worked with this hombre on many occasions, along with Jim Sorey (Fire Station 4) and Jack Fitzgerald (Fire Station 49 and Boat 4) – I’m sure some of you hillbillies can remember them – and I can say with absolute certainty that Larry is a “man amongst men.”
Larry was an excellent fire fighter and I learned so much working with him. There are so many great stories that came from our time together. One story that had a lasting impression on me (and was confirmed by Larry Schneider, Jr.) was about his work with the community around Fire Station 33. He, the station personnel and even his wife, organized a food and toy collection (this was before Toys for Tots) and distributed these items to the needy families in the district. He was conscientious of the communities in which he lived and served.
Larry was also my friend and tenacious as hell. When I worked at an off-duty second job, I dropped a big steel beam on my leg and the orthopedic surgeon said that I would never walk again. Larry stayed in contact with me and was always encouraging me by saying, “George. Get up and go! You can do it!” Between my wife and Larry’s constant encouragement and neighbors who repaired their swimming pool in order for me to use it, I was motivated to exercise, stretch and recover so I was able to return to full duty.
I have known Lawrence “Larry” Schneider since the mid 1960’s and really got to know him when I was a firefighter and he was my Task Force Commander at Fire Station 9. Later when he was promoted to Battalion Chief, along with Sam Diannitto, Schneider asked me to be his Aide and/or Staff Assistant. Together we worked Battalion 7 and later Battalion 5. It was when I was working in Battalion 5 with Larry that I decided to study for Captain.
After I was promoted to Captain, I went to Fire Station 9’s again (third tour) and later went to the Harbor (Fire Station 38) as a Task Force Captain. Schneider was then transferred to Battalion 6 where he and I were working together again.
I can say that I feel blessed to have basically spent my whole career with Larry as my friend, colleague and mentor. We have so many good stories that have come from an almost 30-year working relationship and a 50-year friendship.
I talked to Larry the Saturday before his surgery and we shared a few words, some laughter and tears, and left it at that.
I will miss Larry and always treasure the memories. God be with the Schneider family. I love you all.
When I was in my teens growing in Encino during the 1960′.s, we still talked about the Bel Aire Fire.
The fire burned along a ridge during Santa Ana winds and destroyed approximately 167 homes.
I have meet two firemen who were on that fire. Larry Schieder and Fred Nuesca. Larry was a legend on
the job. One of the last of the old school firemen who entered zero visibility burning buildings without the
benefits of a breathing apparatus. Fred Nuesca is still alive. Fred is the only living recipient of two LAFD Medals of Valor.