Dr. Stewart W. Schneller

Stewart W. Schneller, Dean Emeritus of the College of Science and Mathematics, and Professor Emeritus of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Auburn University, passed away on the April 5, 2024, after a brief hospital stay, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on February 27, 1942. He was the only child of Doris Wright and Henry Schneller and spent his formative years in the glow of a loving family. Upon graduation from the University of Louisville with a B.S. (1964) and an M.S. (1965), he attended Indiana University where he earned a Ph.D. in chemistry.

Following postdoctoral studies at Stanford University and the University of Massachusetts he began his teaching career at the University of South Florida, where he quickly rose through the ranks to full professor and chairman of the department.

In 1994, Stewart came to Auburn as Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, a post he held for almost 17 years. Upon stepping down as Dean in 2010, he returned to his first love, teaching organic chemistry to sophomore students (200 at a time).

Throughout his time as Dean and teacher, he maintained an active research program with a focus on antiviral drug design and discovery. This generated over $10,000,000 in external funding, 163 refereed journal publications, domestic and international patents, invited lectures, consultancies, and the direction of 29 Ph.D. students, and 29 postdoctoral associates.

Among his numerous awards were excellence in teaching and professional distinctions. He was a Fellow of the American Chemical Society, and of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences.

He was an avid sports fan, especially Auburn sports, an amateur radio operator, and most of all, a model son, exemplary husband to his wife of 58 years, Aina, devoted father to son Matthew Dexter Schneller (Jessica) and daughter Katherine Schneller (Todd), and adored grandfather of Quinn Benjamin (12) and Daniel Gene (8).

Stewart W. Schneller was a man who served his God, his family, his profession and his community with ardor and grace. He was a man who left the world better than he found it, a man not to be forgotten.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 11th at the Auburn United Methodist Church preceded by visitation at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 10th. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy should be made to the Auburn Food Bank (www.foodbankofeastalabama.com) or Embrace Alabama Kids (www.embracealkids.org).