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RAPID CITY - Lt. Col. M. Roger Schneekloth (Retired), 77, Rapid City, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Roger was born Feb. 24, 1934, in Fulton, MO, to William and Jewel (Craighead) Schneekloth. Roger's childhood was spent in Redstone, MT, where his family farmed and ranched. He graduated from Flaxville High School in 1952.
He attended Montana State University in Bozeman, and he entered the U.S. Air Force in 1956. He was married to Cheryl Mariam Johnson Schneekloth the first, alias "Chic," his wife of 53 years, in Tacoma, WA.
During Roger's 22-year military career, he served as Navigator. His career included military transport, adviser to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, air sea rescue and recovery for the Apollo space missions. He finished his career as Commander of several transportation squadrons. He retired from the military in 1976 at Offutt Air Force Base, NE. After his military service, he attended University of Nebraska School of Law. Upon graduation, he practiced law in Alliance, NE, including eight years as County Attorney. Upon final retirement, he moved with Chic to Rapid City.
Over the years, Roger enjoyed his hunting and fishing expeditions with family and friends. Most recently, he loved spending time in the Nebraska Sandhills treasuring his friendships with the ranching community. His other pastimes included riding his favorite horse, Sam, farming, raising his cattle, and spending time with his family and friends. He will be remembered most for the lives he influenced, his "unique" sense of humor, and supervising the love lives of his daughters and grandchildren.
Roger belonged to the Masonic Temple where he was a master Mason, Scottish Rite, and Shriners.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Chic, Rapid City; two daughters, Kari (Charlie) Abounader, Briny Breezes, FL, and Lori (Jim) Richard, Tuxedo Park, NY; grandchildren, Ben (Betsy) Meints, Valparaiso, IN, and Brian, Jenny and JJ Richard of Lincoln, NE; great-grandchildren, Emmylou, Clara, Taylon and Mahlea; sisters, Sue (Chuck) Metully and Mary Robinson; brothers, Dave (Dorothy) Schneekloth and Bob (Gwen) Schneekloth; brother-in-law, Les (Nancy) Johnson; and a number of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Jewell Schneekloth; and his brother-in-law, Al Robinson.
On Friday, Feb. 10, a Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. at Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home, 632 St. Francis St., Rapid City, with Chaplain Herb Cleveland officiating. Interment, with military honors provided by Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
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