Norman R. Schneider, 67, of rural Ceresco, died July 5. Schneider was a veterinary toxicologist in the department of veterinary and biomedical sciences at UNL.

Schneider was born March 28, 1943 in Ellsworth, Kan., to Henry and Irene Schneider. Growing up on a cattle ranch and wheat farm near Dorrance, Kan., Schneider was valedictorian of his high school class. He graduated from Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine in 1968. For the next 11 years he served the United States Air Force, as a base veterinarian, Institute of Technology Fellow, veterinary scientist/toxicologist. His career with the USAF took him to many different locations including Labrador, Canada; Columbus, Ohio; Bethesda, Md.; and Dayton, Ohio. He retired from the USAF Reserves in 1995 as a lieutenant colonel with 30 years commissioned service, the last 16 with the Nebraska Air National Guard as chief of public health. While with the reserves he was deployed to Turkey twice, Iceland and Honduras.

In 1979, he accepted a position with UNL as a veterinary toxicologist in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. In 1982, he was also granted a courtesy faculty appointment to the Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology/Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, at University of Nebraska Medical Center. He retired from full-time to emeritus status in December 2002.

While at UNL, Schneider developed two new approved majors in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources — veterinary science and veterinary technologist. He developed and taught general pharmacology and toxicology, one of the few such courses for undergraduates in the United States; developed and taught intro to animal health and recitations of intro to agriculture and natural resource systems. In addition to teaching, from 1990 until retirement, Schneider served as sole academic adviser for 250 undergraduate students or more per academic year. He also implemented, partially funded, and directed the preveterinary advising center in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. Schneider also coordinated and initiated the UNL Chapter of Veterinary Scholars Early Admission Program at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

He earned the UNL Student Foundation/Builders Award for Outstanding Academic Advising; Lawrence KS Crowe Outstanding Adviser; Faculty Adviser Award; and Recognition Award for Contribution to Students; UNL Student Adviser of the year; Brick Volunteer Spirit Award; UNL Society of Innocents Chancellor’s Senior Honor Society Honorary Faculty; UNL Mortar Board Senior Honor Society “People Who Inspire” Award.

Schneider is survived by his his wife of 42 years, Karen; son, Nelson; mother, Irene; sister, Sylvia Lilak both of Dorrance, Kan.; and mother-in-law, Audrey Nelson of Ceresco.

A private family graveside service will be held. Memorials sent to the family will be used to fund a UNL veterinary scholarship. Arrangements by Svoboda Funeral Home, Wahoo. Sympathy messages may be posted at marcysvoboda.com.