On October 25, 1995 tragedy struck us all.  The life of a very special person was taken from us.  A friend, a teammate, a brother, a son and an example for us all, this was Patrick Schindler.  This was a very tragic night about 4:30 pm.  His life was taken from us.  It all started when he let sixteen-year-old Ira Chastain drive his 1988 Toyota Camry to his house from the school.  The car crossed the centerline and was struck by an oncoming 1995 Ford truck by Karl McAllister.  It was a cold, rainy night that will never be forgotten.  Patrick was a person that will always be remembered by those of us who were lucky enough to know him and by those whose lives were touch by him, but didn’t have the pleasure of knowing him personally.  He had a way about him that touched everyone in his or her own special way.  Whether it was by the way he encouraged or the way he had a million dollar smile that never left his face or just the fact that he was a great all around guy.  Patrick participated in many different activities including basketball, baseball, refereeing at YMCA for basketball and football working at the Burger King and he carried a 3.5 GPA.  Patrick was said to be a classmate never to be forgotten.

Patrick was a very willing and helpful person.  He was always ready to serve and was very enthusiastic about it.  The leaders asked for people to come and clean all the furnishings of the church including the sanctuary.  So Pat came and gave up his Saturdays to help restore the altar.  There were two angels on either side of the altar that he named Pat and Rick, after they were cleaned.  This is something the entire parish will remember him by.  I, myself have two little angels that I keep in my room after I was told the story.  Patrick was one of a kind.  Only special people have the qualities of a priest, Patrick was one of them.  The parish priest had talked to Patrick about this and shared with him that he had the characteristics of a true priest.  For he was always ready, alert and very intelligent.  Patrick was always willing to serve communion and helped being an altar boy.  The priests all knew they could rely on Pat.  For if he said he was going to be there – he was.

Their church had a night called Holy Thursday, where the students come and pray all night.  Of the student, which wasn’t many, Patrick was one of the few who spent the whole night praying.  The parish priests made a conclusion of Patrick that God wanted him home early.  This was an opportunity for their family to pull closer together.  He also said to the students to pull closer together and follow Pat’s example – to always be ready.  Jim and Lynn did a wonderful job raising him.  They are great parents; they stand behind and support all their kids in all their different activities.  From the one who is married to John and Brian who are still in school  They are all around great family.

This last section is my words of Patrick.  I met him first in 1994 when both our moms agreed to help Duane Alton on his campaign for congressman.  That day was cool, but sunny when our families and the Alton family had to work to clean the parking lot of the new office.  All of us kids were working together picking up the garbage.  We talked and laughed and had a great time.  From this day forward I thought about him and prayed for him.  He was like no other guy I had ever met.  I loved going to watch him play basketball or going down to the office because ever so often he was there or even just to hear Lynn talk about him.. The two years and more that I liked him I didn’t share with my parents, only my friends knew.  I never will forget Patrick, the way his smile lit up the room whenever he was around.  The picture I see in my mind of him playing hoopfest smiling. 

Patrick Anthony Schindler I miss you and love you.

Written by Abi Ogle

Friends for Eternity

A little boy who long ago

A young nun did befriend

Has gone; he follows now a road

Which heaven-ward does wend.

In years now past that friendship grew;

The Sister and the boy

In school, at work, so many times

Did find a cause for joy.

Each friendly word, each helping hand

Once shared, so willingly,

Each impish prank, and youthful dream

Are but fond memory.

Who would have though those twinkling eyes,

That cheerful, tender heart,

Were meant to be so briefly lent

To earth ‘ere he depart?

And she who taught is pupil now,

Her dear young friend, you see,

With roles reverse must not instruct

Lessons in sanctity.

Toward heav’n she turns, a whispered prayer,

To that little friend above,

For wisdom, grace and guidance,

A boyish smile, and love.

Written by Sr. Vianney (his highschool teacher)

If someone who never knew Patrick Schindler needed a definite description of him, the list could go on and on.  Humorous and handsome, you could always find Pat around the school.  Talking to this person or laughing with that group of friends, but always happy and always with a smile on his face.  Playing basketball seemed one of Pat’s favorite sports, and one he played well.  In an image in my mind, I remember his boyish blonde hair, his friendly hazel eyes and the sparsely scattered freckles across the bridge of his slender nose.  To sing in choir or anywhere else, he enjoyed immensely and had the voice and the talent to use as he pleased.  Although Patrick’s souls has left this world and has flown away to his eternal home, he still lingers with us in spirit and listens as we recall his friendship and the memories we hold of him.

Written by Angela Anaya