JOSEPH SCHNEIDER, MD
RIP: October 22nd, 1975 - April 21, 2021
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Joseph Benjamin Schneider, MD, who died suddenly on April 21, 2021 at his home in Albany leaving behind a legacy of healing, exploration, and friendships that will forever be cherished. He was born in Manhattan to Allan S. Schneider, PhD, who predeceased him, and Mary-Jane Tunis Schneider, PhD, who survives him. Also surviving him are his brother, Henry Schneider, PhD, sister-in-law Julie Schneider, nephew Gus, niece Edie, all of Kingston, Ontario, fiancee Gunda Baumgartl, MD of Salzburg, Austria, and many dear friends, who miss him greatly.
Joseph was a remarkable individual whose life was a testament to his unwavering commitment to helping others, his insatiable thirst for adventure, and his boundless compassion. He was not just an ordinary individual; he was an emergency medicine doctor, a wilderness expert, and an exceptional human being. His journey through life was marked by a passion for both medicine and the great outdoors. Joseph graduated from Bethlehem Central High School and Amherst College, where he was a competitive springboard diver. He earned his MD at Albany Medical College and completed a residency in emergency medicine at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. Joseph continued his training and completed a Wilderness Medicine Fellowship at Baystate Medical Center and became an expert in Austere and Expedition Medicine.
Joseph was a true wilderness enthusiast. He possessed an innate connection to nature and sought refuge in the serene beauty of the outdoors. His wilderness expertise was unmatched, and he often shared his knowledge and love for nature with those fortunate enough to join him on his adventures. He loved skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfboarding, mountaineering and rock climbing. He served as the team doctor for an expedition group that climbed Mt. Makalu (5th Highest Mountain in the World) in the Himalayas under Russell Brice and spent time at Everest Base Camp. He continued his passion for medicine and the outdoors as one of the key founders and instructors with Wild Med Adventures, an outdoor adventure CME company. While teaching wilderness medicine, he summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (Highest in Africa), Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina (Highest in S. America) , and Mt. Elbrus (Highest in Russia/Europe). He also helped lead and teach courses in Mongolia, Guatemala, and climbed the Highest Peak in Mexico - Volcan Orizaba.
What truly set Joseph apart was his exceptional intellect and kindness. His curiosity knew no bounds, and he constantly sought to expand his horizons through learning and exploration. He was a brilliant mind, always eager to solve problems and lend his expertise to any situation. Yet, his brilliance was matched by his humility and kindness. He had an uncanny ability to connect with people from all walks of life, making everyone he met feel valued and heard. Joseph knew no strangers and had a warm and welcoming presence that left a lasting impact on those fortunate enough to cross his path.
Joseph was an adventure seeker, fearlessly pursuing experiences that most can only dream of. From scaling peaks to embarking on daring wilderness expeditions, he lived life to the fullest, inspiring all who knew him to embrace the thrill of the unknown. His adventurous spirit was infectious, and he encouraged those around him to step out of their comfort zones and savor the wonders of life.
Joseph leaves behind a void that cannot be filled, but his memory will forever be cherished by his family, friends, colleagues, and the countless lives he touched during his remarkable journey. His legacy of compassion, intellect, and adventure will continue to inspire us all to live our lives with purpose, kindness, and an unwavering spirit of exploration.
Rest in peace, dear friend, your adventurous spirit and kind heart will forever remain etched in our hearts.
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Dr. Joe Schneider is board certified in Emergency Medicine, and was the inaugural fellow in the Wilderness Medicine program at Baystate Medical Center, created by Dr. Benjamin Mattingly. Together, these two, along with Chris Gibson (Paramedic, FAWM) and a number of other wonderful people, summited Mt Aconcagua in January of 2012, sparking the fire in Dr. Schneider's wilderness medicine career.
In the spring of 2012, he helped lead and instruct senior medical students in the Utah wilderness during a one-month wilderness medicine elective offered through the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine. Students camped in the back country in conditions ranging from a snowy alpine setting at 9,400 feet, practicing and learning about alpine medical emergencies, to CanyonLands National Park, where students studied and practiced wilderness tenets and skills such as water purification and heat exposure, and managed to identify a Black Widow spider and Pigmy Midget Rattlesnake. They traveled part of the way from the mountains to the desert via the Green River for 4 nights. Dr. Schneider participated in the November 2013 AWLS CME trip to Guatemala offered by Wild Med Adventures, LCC, a truly spectacular experience. In the spring of 2014, Joe Schneider pursued his dream of going to the Himalayas and worked as the expedition doctor for Himalayan Experience's expedition to climb Mt Makalu, the world's 5th tallest mountain at 8,481 meters. The expedition was successful. Interests include all outdoor activities, particularly backpacking, skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, mountain biking, golf, swimming/diving, and of course wilderness medicine. Dr. Schneider has recently relocated to the west coast practicing emergency medicine but continues to be an active instructor with Wild Med Adventures.
