Clarence Schnare

Kerrville CLARENCE WILLIAM BILL SCHNARE was born in Buffalo, Iowa on January 19, 1917 to Elizabeth and Alfred Schnare. He passed away on September 6, 2012 after a long battle with Alzheimer. His youth was spent in Davenport, Iowa where he enjoyed the many activities that living on the Mississippi River afforded. After his graduation from Davenport high school, he continued his education at St. Ambrose College for two years before entering Iowa State College, where he obtained his B.S. degree in mechanical engineering in 1938. It was there that he met Blanche Miller on a blind date, became his wife a year later 19 in a marriage that lasted for 73 years.
Bill began his career with the Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force base in Dayton, Ohio. During WWII his group was given the project of correcting some 19 problems in the B29 engine. With the solving of these problems, the loss of B29 aircraft over Japan was minimized and brought the war to a er end. After WWII, he was recruited into the Air Forces fledgling rocket propulsion program and he served the remaining 32 years of his career in that arena. His research and development of rocket engines primarily at Edwards AFB in California helped put the first man on the moon and kept his country safe from foreign aggressors. His assignments for the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratories took him to England, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Sicily, Switzerland and the Euro Valley. He received the prestigious James H. Wyld Propulsion award and the US governments outstanding service award, the highest award his country could give. He was one of the highest ranking civil servants in the US defense department when he retired in 1972.
Bill never saw a golf course he didnt like. He and Blanche toured Europe for 6 months, when John and Terry joined them for the last 2 months. While in the quotswingquot of things they continued touring the United States and Canada for another 3 years, finally settling in Kerrville, Texas quota good choicequot he always declared and the golf continue mightily at River Hills Golf Club. Their other hobbies were bridge and many friends. The highlight was hosting a large annual Kentucky Derby Day party. His latest endeavor was the completion of his book, quotReflections of a Rocket Scientistquot.
Bill is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Dorothy Jones.
He is survived by his wife, Blanche, daughter, Annabeth Skaggs and husband Ron, son, Terry and his wife Frances, son, John and his wife Pam, along with grandchildren Rob Schnare, Elizabeth Hayes and husband Glenn, Kelly Hook and husband Andrew, Dr Cayce Paddock and husband Richard and Cory Schnare and brotherinlaw Bill Jones, and six great grandchildren.
He delighted in all of them and enjoyed their many activities. He also felt fortunate to have many nieces and nephews, as well as friends, who were thoughtful in gathering for his birthdays, anniversaries, and other occasions.

Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 321 Thompson Drive, Kerrville, Texas on September 10th at 11:00am.

The family appreciates the care that Sterling House provided for Bill in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, your prayers and thoughts will be welcomed


Arrangements are under the direction and person care of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home

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