Henry Hank" Schneider"

Henry Schneider of Southampton and Shelter Island died on September 16 at Southampton Hospital. He was 92.

Born May 10, 1916, in Queens to Elsie (neé Kruger) and Frederick Schneider, he became an aviation buff at a young age, spending many hours at Holmes and North Beach airfields, moving planes from the hangar, assisting mechanics, and refueling planes for such celebrated fliers as Jimmy Doolittle.

Although his first career goal as an aircraft designer was forestalled by the Depression, with the encouragement of a high school teacher he entered a citywide competition and won a scholarship to the Art Students League.

Mr. Schneider was a commercial artist for advertising agencies before serving three and a half years in the glider and paratrooper troops of the 82nd, 101st, and 13th Airborne Divisions of the U.S. Army in England, France, Belgium, and Germany during World War II.

Upon returning to the U.S. he studied photography on the GI bill and opened a New York City studio, where he combined elements of art and photography to create record jackets and paperback covers. He also photographed celebrities such as Duke Ellington, Salvador Dali, Jack Paar, Steve Allen, and Inger Stevens and provided advertising photos for the Saturday Evening Post, Holiday, and Fortune magazines. He also occasionally accepted work as a photographic model.

In 1984, when he moved to the East End, he turned to painting full time. One of five founders of the Southampton Artists Association, a 300-member group based at what is now the Levitas Center for the Arts, he showed his work in many exhibits, assisted with more than 40 shows, raised thousands of dollars for local charities, and served on the board of directors. His landscapes, seascapes, and abstracts have been exhibited in many galleries and won several awards.

A former ocean lifeguard, he was an avid swimmer into his 90s. He was a member of the Long Island Early Fliers and a classic car enthusiast. He was the original owner of two vintage convertibles, a 1949 Pontiac Silver Streak and a 1972 Ford Mustang.

Also active in the United Methodist Church of Southampton, he served as a trustee of the Union Chapel in the Grove in Shelter Island Heights. In 1999, he received the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and other medals for his service in World War II. He walked in every village veterans parade and ceremony and represented the group as Grand Marshal in the 2000 Fourth of July parade. In addition, he had a talent for writing and published several articles and letters in Newsday, the Early Fliers newsletter, and local newspapers.

Predeceased by siblings Ralph, Fred, and Helen Schneider, he is survived by three sisters, Alice and Ruth Schneider of Southampton and Mildred Young and her husband George of Massachusetts; three nieces, Jean Curcuru and her husband Anthony, and Janet and Diane Young, all of Massachusetts; a great-nephew and great-niece, Gregory and Stephanie Moses of Massachusetts; a great-great-niece and great-great-nephew, Savanna and Tariq Moses of Massachusetts; and many cousins.

A memorial service was held September 19 at the United Methodist Church, followed by burial in Pinelawn Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the 165th Anniversary Fund of the United Methodist Church of Southampton, 160 Main Street, Southampton NY 11968, would be appreciated by the family.