Excerpts from obituary published in San Diego Union-Tribune on July 31, 2013:

Otto Schneider was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 9, 1927.  At the age of 17, during WWII, Otto enlisted in the Navy and served as an Aviation Electricians Mate. While in the naval reserve and working for a business machine company, he attended Hofstra University at night, eventually earning a BA in History in 1953.  He then attended Union Theological Seminary in New York, where he earned his Master Divinity, and later his STM, also serving as Student Pastor of Stanwich Congregational church in Greenwich, Connecticut.  He returned to active duty in 1956 as a Chaplain and retired in 1983 as a Captain.  After retiring from the Navy, he served as Director of Planned Giving Ministries and Associate Pastor for the First Congregational Church of Escondido, California.  More recently, Otto was a member of the San Marcos Lutheran Church.  He had been a Master Mason for more than 51 years, serving as Worshipful Master of the North County Daylight Lodge No. 843 at the time of his passing.  He was a member of the Scottish Rite, Royal Arch, and National Sojourners, of which he was a past commander.  He was also a member of the Rotary Club, where he was a past president.  He is survived by his wife Ruth of 67 years; 5 children, 8 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. He is described by those who knew him as generous, loving and compassionate.  He will be dearly missed by all whose lives he touched.  

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)