Chicago, IL – When I think of my former students from time to time, I always see them in my mind as 22-year-olds. Even if I have actually seen them recently, they still remain, in my memory, frozen at 22 years old. Whenever I hear of one passing away, their 22-year-old image is what I first see and remember. When I received the news that Ed Schneller, of the class of 1990, passed away yesterday, that’s who I remembered – the 22-year-old Eddie. It’s hard because the 52-year-old Eddie had fallen on difficult times in the past few years. I choose today to remember the 22-year-old Eddie.
Eddie was a sweetheart; that’s the best word I can use to describe him. He was a lovable kid with irrepressible energy. Whenever you met him, he was unfailingly positive and upbeat. He had a joy about him that expressed itself in how he joked, teased, and kidded his friends and colleagues alike. Whenever he called me on the phone, the first thing he would ask me is if I was wearing any clothes, and if so, to describe my outfit. He had a quick wit, and was a very good conversationalist. He could talk to you for hours if you let him.
Eddie was a member of one of the most talented collection of students I had the honor to teach. In many ways, Eddie was the student who helped me gain the initial trust of that class. They were already juniors when I was hired. I was their third acting teacher in as many years, and they had little reason to believe I was going to be any better than the two who had come before me. Eddie helped smooth the path in front of me. He was willing to take me at face value, as someone who was there to help them become better actors. I was young and inexperienced, but I knew enough at that point to know I had to do as little damage as possible and respect what they were experiencing and had already gone through. I needed to gain their trust more than really teach them anything. Eddie was someone who helped me gain that trust by first trusting me himself. He became someone I could turn to for advice and background information on how best to approach this collection of fierce talent. I’m pretty sure I would have screwed things up a lot more had Eddie not been there. His sweetheart nature was invaluable.
Eddie started out as an actor, but I feel what he always wanted to be was a director. I think he discovered that when he directed a production of Agnes of God, for which he chose me as his faculty advisor. Creating and managing all facets of the theatrical experience appealed to him, and he enjoyed delving into how best to stage a play. Upon graduation, however, he went into the business end of theatre as a theatrical agent and behind-the-scenes manager. He served for a time as the company manager for Merce Cunningham’s dance company, getting to travel around the globe. He was a natural at this as well, because his sweetheart personality excelled at talking to people, making them feel good about themselves, and managing details. He loved telling stories about all the show business personalities he ran into and worked with. He kept in touch from time to time over the years, and throughout his career he always exhibited that 22-year-old sweetheart persona.
A short while after I retired, Eddie called me and asked me if I was wearing any clothes. After a brief discussion of my state of (un)dress, he pitched a proposition to me – to enter a joint venture with him developing a NYC tour company. Eddie had become a professional tour guide, and he thought I would make a good partner because of my experience, my past teaching history, and my personal connection to NYC (where I was born and raised). The idea had some appeal to me as something I could do in retirement on my own time and schedule, and getting the chance to visit New York every once in a while. Naturally, his sweetheart personality and persuasive tone prevailed, and I actually took the test for a NYC tour guide license and passed it with one of the highest scores my examiner had ever seen. He was quite proud of me. Many intervening circumstances on both our parts prevented me from actually ever using the license (which I still keep current), but we had talked about more plans as late as this past June.
A few years ago, Eddie suffered a stroke, and from that point on, he aged fast. Despite his failing health and deteriorating living circumstances, he could still muster up that positive sweetheart energy when he needed to. His passing is a heavy sorrow, made heavier because of all the struggles he endured and shared with me in his last years. I am left with my memories of a 22-year-old sweetheart of a student who became a friend, some unfulfilled plans we had together, and an ID badge that has my picture on it that says “Licensed NYC Tour Guide.”
RIP, Eddie. And thanks. You were a sweetheart. -twl