Sad, sad, sad. Stu Schneider was the only writer who could out-Jenkins Dan Jenkins, his "Front 9" column simply never struck out. He will be sorely missed.

As Founder and CEO of GolfWeb, I valued Stu's work ethic and humor countless times during they heydays of GolfWeb. He was a great friend and associate. My prayers and thoughts go out to Linda and the boys.
--- Ed Pattermann

I've had a variety of different bosses in my working career. Some good, some not so good. Stu was the best. I worked for him at GolfWeb and I learned a tremendous amount. We had some strong disagreements, but they never impacted our friendship. I'd always hoped someday we could work together again.

Stu was the one and only thing that made living and working in South Florida bearable.

I only wish we had kept in contact better over the last couple years.

I'm going to really miss Stu.
Dan King

I worked with Stu at GolfWeb, where he basically gave me free reign to develop our editorial section. After I left for ESPN, we spoke several times a year. He was devoted to his family and always asked about my wife and son. Although I knew he wasn't well lately, he never complained.

The ultimate compliment in life and death is simple: He was a good man ... Godspeed, Stu ...

I'll add this to my earlier post: There are many golf writers who owe a lot to Stu. When we started developing editorial strategy at GolfWeb, he agreed to hire more freelancers. This was in the early stages of the content boom on the internet and Stu endorsed bringing as many voices to the site as possible. Writers such as Geoff Shackelford, Bob Harig, Jeff Babineau and many others were early contributers. He allowed people on staff such as Dan King to create and run with ideas ... He believed in taking chances and doing what we could do to kick ass. He was a true pioneer of content on the internet ...

John Marvel

I remember meeting with Stu at GolfWeb's Cupertino office just after they launched. Things were pretty crazy then and that was before CBS Sportsline, the Tour, Yahoo and USGA came knocking. A great guy with many friends...my condolences.

When I heard of Stu's death it was devastating. We spoke on Saturday when he called me for info about why I wasn't working The Saturday show at Colonial for CBS. As always, he wanted to know the real reasons for things, and wasn't about to speculate.When I told him I had asked for the day to attend my son's high school graduation he applauded that family came first. That's the way it was for him as well...family first. We knew each other from the early Golf Digest days, thru Golfweb, and on to his TV rewind job at Golfworld. He was one of a handfull of writers that I trusted. He did his homework, never held grudges, never thought people were always bad or good. He never criticized, or complimented without offering a reason. He never thought because you were great or awful one week, that you were then great or awful all the time. He took the time to do what was right, even if I sometimes thought he was wrong! I respected him for that. I feel badly for his family, because they have lost someone who thought his family was everything. It's a shame that it takes something like this to make people realize how lucky they are each and every day. I hope that more people will honor Stu by doing what he did. Be fair, be honest and be thorough. Disagree, but don't make it personal. If you have to make your point with a personal attack, then maybe, just maybe, your point isn't worth making. He told me that, and followed with ...just because you say something stupid, doesn't mean you are stupid! The golf world has lost a good person.

I'm one of those writers who owes a debt to Stu. I wrote for him at GolfWeb. Stu cared about every word. He made sure of the facts. Stu and I became close friends and remained close after GolfWeb.

We met for lunch one day this past winter in south Florida. Linda brought their two boys and they hung around the mall in West Palm Beach while Stu and I talked and talked. Later in the winter we played golf. Stu hadn't played in a year but hit his patented high fade as if he'd been practicing every day. He'd been through a tough time around Christmas but was improving and regaining some weight. We were in touch a few weeks ago after he was hit hard again, but he was optimistic that things would get better.

Now this. Stu leaves Linda and two wonderful young children. What can you say, except that Stu was a gem of a person, a tremendous colleague and friend, and a man who did things the right way.

What shocking news. I worked with Stu some 20 yrs ago <shudder>. He was a good man. May his family find comfort in these difficult days without him, and may he rest in peace.

To borrow a saying from talk radio: long-time reader, first-time poster. And under such sad, sad circumstances.

Wednesday was a difficult day in Wilton, spent wrapping up a U.S. Open preview assignment at the offices of Golf World and Golf Digest. Stunning news, froze so many people where they stood or sat, left them staring blankly into the distance for long stretches. Nearly everyone said the same thing: "He kept writing the column and Front Nine from the hospital so I didn't think it was *that bad." And that's high praise to Stu on so many levels. The dedication to providing for his family, honoring his assignments and audience, somehow ensuring through everything that was happening at the hospital that he did not lose the professionalism attested to in the above posts.

Back in 1989, when Golf World was purchased by The New York Times Co. and moved from Pinehurst to CT, I was adopted into the lunch gatherings a few minutes from the office, at the food court of the Trumbull mall. Depending on the day of the week and time of golf season there could be six people gathered around two tables pushed together, there could be 20 or 25 people at what resembled a long conference table. "Lively debate" falls short as a description. Stu was in the thick of it. He knew his stuff, knew why something happened and would offer praise or critical assessment, potential fixes, next steps, story ideas, whatever, at bang-bang-bang speed. The days he didn't attend weren't simply mealtimes but they had a lot less texture, a lot less energy and a helluva lot fewer laughs. You came out of lunch with Stu knowing who had your back, professionally and personally.

There aren't many people in our business who write humor. Perhaps it's the whole Jenkins-is-god complex. Perhaps it's that so much of the fun has evaporated from the game. But Stu bucked the convention, just as he did at GolfWeb. There was a lot of Stu in the front of the book at Golf World. It'll take a while to fill that emptiness caused by his death. But for some of us, no matter what comes next, it'll never be quite the same.

Deep, deep sympathies to Linda and the boys.
B

Stu was a pleasure to know and be around. He could be heavily ironic but still keep it amusing. But for all his rebelliousness as a thinker and commentator he was genuinely offended by immoral or unethical behavior. I’ve never known anyone with quite that same combination… a prankster-moralist. He was a natural journalist because of that temperament, along with his sharp wit and powers of observation. He had other skills outside journalism, and ended up covering a lot of ground in his shortened life.

I was often the third member of Stu and Geoff’s evening opinion sessions after work, in that townhouse they shared not far from the Golf Digest Trumbull office 20-something years ago. It was a good place to pick up information about the media world, pop culture and office politics. Lots of people seemed to say things to Stu that they didn’t say to anyone else. He was a pretty responsible filter for it all, too.

Geoff and Stu had a unique friendship. I was so glad when they found a way to work together on all that excellent Golf World f-o-b edit. I was not in much contact with them other than reading the magazine every week, and didn’t know that Stu’s health was that much of a concern again. The news of his death was shocking and eerie. It leaves a bitter taste.

From GWAA.com:

"Arrangements for funeral services for Stu Schneider have been made. All are welcome to attend.

Friday, June 1, at 2 p.m.
Kraeer Funeral Home
1655 University Drive,
Coral Springs, FL. 33071
954-753-8960

Stu was in the hospital being treated for colitis and a secondary infection when he "just crashed" on Tuesday. His blood pressure dropped, and he went into cardiac arrest. He's survived by wife Linda and sons Matthew, 8 and Ben, 4. Stu was 52."

I just wanted to add a few words of sympathy and appreciation, because I too owe a tremendous debt to Stu.

Back when I was covering sports and golf for the Sun-Sentinel, in the infancy of the Internet boom, Stu and John Marvel persuaded me to jump ship from iGolf to GolfWeb.

Stu was such a grinder, always slouched over his computer in pressrooms coding stories, scanning the wires, IMing people, coming up with ideas and one-liners, it just inspired me to work that much harder to post columns on the site.

Those were great days, with Lorne R. being the graceful, thoughtful writer who really knew the game (including how to play), and me being well, the wisecracking New York outsider who also loved the game (but couldn't play a lick) and wouldn't be afraid to ask some unconventional questions. Stu encouraged that irreverance.

Stu moved to South Florida when Sportsline took over GolfWeb, so we got to see each other a bunch after that. It was great getting to play golf and lunch with him on a regular basis.

I respected Stu so much for how he dealt with the PGA Tour.com takeover of GolfWeb. We knew there was going to be some unacceptable changes, and Lorne R., myself and Stu knew we'd have to be going.

Stu then went to Rivals.com, bringing aboard myself, Robinson Holloway, Andrew Both and Bill Blighton to start a golf site.

Stu stayed in South Florida after the Internet boom went bust. I hadn't seen him as much in recent years, after I jumped from sports to news and became a dad myself. But we'd occasionally talk and e-mail, and he told me how much he was enjoying his TV review duties for GolfWorld. About the only thing he loved more than golf was his family.

I'm still in shock about the news. When I spoke to Linda yesterday, I told her that there was a blog with an item on Stu's death. She asked me to print it out and bring it to the funeral today. I'm sure many of these comments will help lift her in this excruciating time.

RIP, Stu.

I didn't know Stu as long as a lot of people did which is to say I missed out. But in the years I did get to know him while at Golf Digest, he was one of the most genuine, nice, good people I've ever met. He was energetic, smart, funny, informative. When he heard I was coming to South Florida to take a position with the Sun-Sentinel he was eager to get together and tell me anything I needed to know about the area, talk sports, his family, the web, life. That was Stu, always willing to help out and just be a genuinely nice guy. We had lunch a little more than a month ago, spoke regularly and even talked about him maybe coming to work for the Sun-Sentinel. I'm still as stunnned as anyone by the the news of his passing and would have really looked forward to working with him again here, or even just having lunch. He'll be dearly missed.

Brian Wacker

One other little tidbit about Stu, since so many people have rightly mentioned his sense of humor. He was an extra in "Caddyshack" and can be seen in the crowd (wearing a blue visor) immediately behind Danny Noonan after the big match.

While at Golf Digest for 10 years starting in the late '70s, I knew Stu from his PR responsibilities. Being responsible for their business magazine for the retail trade, I worked with Stu when he wrote press releases on significant pieces running in the book. He was always interested in what was going on in the golf shop, especially with new equipment. He was always a professional and was a lot more knowledgeable about everything happening in the business than management at that time ever gave him credit for. He was a class act.

I loved uncle Stu soooo much so when I heard that he had died I started to cry like a baby!!! I knew he was in a lot of pain, but I still wanted him to live. Praying evey night and day that he would live, I was sad to hear the news.

It is unimaginable. My prayers are with the his wife and children.

My wish is that he was met by our dear Pete Farricker at the gates of heaven ...and they are now hoisting a couple of cold ones....watching over the rest of us.

It is heartwarming to read all of these touching comments and stories from friends, colleagues and family. We are still reeling from this incredible tragedy.

Since Stu has touched so many from different parts of the country, we decided to have a Memorial service in New York besides the funeral yesterday in Coral Springs. I am working out the details but here is what we have so far...

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, June 14th, 2007 at the Bethpage State Park in Bethpage, NY. We will be assembling and paying tribute to Stu behind the Clubhouse overlooking the 18th green of the Black Course. We are finalizing the details as we speak, but we are shooting for a 4:00 PM start.

I am sure that Stu will be watching.

Dale and I met Linda and Stu on our permanent journey to San Jose, CA via St. Louis, MO. Linda and I sat next to each other on the plane. After introductions, we didn't stop talking until the plane landed. Holding true to their promise to call us within a week to make sure we were getting settled, we were invited over to their house for dinner. Entertaining conversation over cold beer cemented our friendship with Linda and Stu. We never had the opportunity to golf with Stu but that didn't seem to interfere with our friendship. We enjoyed Stu's dry sense of humor and laid back approacch to life. We felt at a loss when they announced that they were moving to Florida, but were happy for Stu's new job opportunities. Our deepest sympathies to Linda, Matthew and Ben. Our thoughts are with you during this most difficult time.

Like everyone else, I was shocked and saddened to hear about Stu's passing. I grew up around the corner from Stu on Long Island and attended elementary, junior high, high school and college with him. I had the pleasure of attending his Bar Mitzvah and also playing endless games of football, basketball and stick ball with Stu during our youth. Let it be known that Stu was a very good athlete! We didn't speak too often over the past few years, but when we did I received enormous comfort in hearing his voice and his laugh. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. I hope you derive some comfort in knowing how many lives he touched, including my own.

R.I.P Stu. Stus and used to do interviews for my Podcast. He was always kind enough to be a guest on my show, and lend his expert analysis. Stu will be missed.

Many have been asking about donations to Stu's Family...The Stu Schneider Family Fund has been established for his children. If you would like to donate to this fund, write checks to his wife, Linda Schneider, and the “Stu Schneider Family Fund” must be referenced in the for/notes line on the check. Send your donations to P.O. Box 670152 Coral Springs, Florida 33067

Thanks to all who have been leaving touching posts here...

Rode on the bandwagon with Stu for GolfWeb Japan during the heydays of GolfWeb.. always an inspiration.. RIP Stu.
Jim

I crossed paths briefly with Stu when I was at GolfWeb, and am very sad to hear what happened. My best to his wife and family.