Stephen John Schadt, 76, Green Bay, WI passed away peacefully on March 20th, 2023, with family by his side. He was born to the late Henry and Rose Mary Schadt on November 18th, 1946, in Chilton, WI. As a military child Steve lived in many places growing up as the son of a United States Air Force father.
He spent years growing up not only in WI, but also in California, Hawaii, Virginia, Mississippi and eventually back to WI where he graduated from Antigo High School in 1964.
Steve attended the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh where he was an original founding member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He spent time as House President and Assistant Treasurer of the Fraternity. Steve had fond memories of his college years participating in many on campus functions, playing multiple intermural sports and making many friends over those years. He graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with a Major in Business Management.
After college graduation Steve enlisted into the United States Army in the summer of 1968.
He spent nearly 3 years in the service where he was stationed at locations such as Fort Dix-New Jersey, Fort Sill-Oklahoma, and Fort Bliss-Texas.
As 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army as an Air Defense Artillery Officer he held many positions including platoon leader, battery commander, battalion communications officer and finally as the battalion property book officer overseeing supply and logistics while working with Nike Hercules Missiles.
Steve was awarded the National Defense Service Medal as well as the Army Commendation Medal for outstanding meritorious service.
Steve was released from duties with Honorable Discharge in 1971 and soon after started his career with Schneider National where he was very proud of his work as a National Account Manager for over 30 years. Steve was a hardworking man, regularly putting in long days/nights, bringing work home with him and often traveling around the country to meet with many of the customers he worked so closely with over the years. He also met many of his greatest lifelong friends during his time at Schneider including his former wife, Janet Noel.
Married on November 20, 1976, they soon started a beautiful family including 3 children – Adam, Eric, and Robyn. Steve was always there for his kids…. they came first no matter what.
Always helping with homework, coaching one of their many sports teams or tirelessly getting the yard and pool ready for a weekend party. He spent many a night teaching math at the kitchen table or could be found walking thru a field after work to find plants and bugs for a science project that was of course…. due tomorrow. He loved coaching his sons in Allouez Babe Ruth baseball while playing for the Zesty’s Cubs. Many wonderful memories were made while teaching, molding, and encouraging the many boys that participated on those teams over the years.
With his boys later gone to college in Eau Claire, he’d load up the station wagon and trailer every spring and helped them move from one college house to the next, often doing most of the heavy lifting himself with no complaints, while they of course… slept in. As life went on and the Robyn’s Nest came to be, he’d always offer to close the tills late in the evenings after bar close to give his daughter a few extra hours of time home with her kids.
When not transporting 3 kids every which way to individual sports and school activities, weekends were often spent “up north” at the family cottage on White Potato Lake. That was Steve’s escape from the hustle and bustle of busy work and city life. He loved taking care of the yard/garden up north, having campfires at night, fishing and going for pontoon boat rides with his family.
After retirement Steve found a love and passion for playing Poker and would often be found in competitive games at places like the Moose Lodge and Cliffhangers Bar. He enjoyed the critical thinking, competition, and the many friends he met playing alongside over the years. Recently he found great joy as his grandson Mykey was also introduced to the game and they often discussed the skill and strategy needed to be successful at the tables.
Steve joined a Fantasy Football League with his sons, grandson, and other family friends.
He even won the League Championship in 2019. As team name Steve Nick Slayer, he enjoyed a special rivalry with fellow league member and longtime family friend Nick DeYoung.
Some of Steve’s simple joys included sitting out back on his deck enjoying the warmth of the summer sun or taking a drive and listening to country music in his Ford F150. He’d often pick up his grandson Braylon along the way for a quick stop over to Dairy Queen or McDonalds to enjoy Vanilla Shakes and Heath Bar Blizzards together.
Steve is survived by his 2 sons, Adam Schadt (special friend Kelly O’Connell) and Eric Schadt (Samantha), his daughter Robyn Schadt, 3 grandsons Mykaiel, Braylon and Phoenix Schadt, sister Su (Ron) Fernandez, brother Rick (Joyce) Schadt, niece Colette (Steve) Fernandez Compoz, nephews Brent (Amanda) Fernandez, Ricky (Emma) Schadt and Corey (Dana) Schadt along with many dear friends and relatives from the Schomer family.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his former wife and great friend, Janet Schadt.
We would like to send our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Doctors, Nurses and Caregivers at the V.A., St Vincent Hospital, ProMedica Hospice and Allouez Parkside Village for their wonderful and unwavering care of Stephen, especially over the past year. Your compassion in caring for him did not go unnoticed and will forever be appreciated by his family.
The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life gathering in honor of Stephen at the Robyn’s Nest, 1623 Cass St, Green Bay, WI, on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Full Military Honors will take place following the reception. Stephen will be interred at Allouez Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.prokowall.com.