An Artist Behind the Wheel!

Joe Schneider was born in Spokane, Wash. in 1960. His father taught at Gonzaga Univ., and his parents raised four daughters and two sons. Joe was the third oldest, and the oldest son. His folks have been married more than 60 years and all his siblings are all currently living in the Northwest. Joe's mother came from a logging family and so Joe was introduced to Indian art from her side of the family while his father was a German immigrant and Joe was able to visit the country and learn about art from his father's country of origin. When Joe was in the first grade, his teacher passed out paints to the kids in the classroom. Joe decided to paint sunflowers, not thinking much of it. When he eventually brought the painting home, his parents immediately realized he had a gift. All six Schneider children were required to take piano lessons. When Joe was in the fourth grade, his folks allowed him to substitute art lessons for piano lessons. They hired an art professor from Gonzaga to give him lessons. Robert Gilmore provided classical art training and Joe will be forever grateful for the instruction he received. In high school, Barbara Eddy was another art instructor that made a huge impact on his life. After high school graduation, Joe attended Gonzaga Univ. and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts. He the stayed on another year and earned his teaching certificate. Joe met his first wife while at Gonzaga and they were married for seven years. They were both artists and went to New York together to explore the art opportunities available. Joe worked at a museum as an art handler. In Williamsburg, NY the couple lived in a "bombed out and desolate" neighborhood. It was very stressful living and the marriage ended. Joe ended up in East Village Manhattan. He saw developers moving in and corporations taking over. Joe decided to stretch his wings and "try new things." He went to school and became a massage therapist. He also decided to take up ballroom dancing. He met his wife Debbie while on the elevator to class! Joe now knows how to dance and has a beautiful wife! Debbie and Joe married in 1993 in NY. The rents kept rising, so they decided to move and started looking ALL over the U.S.! After crossing paths with Realtor, John Leamy, they were introduced to Corbett....and fell in love!  They both loved nature and wanted to be a part of a great community. Joe started bus driving for the Gresham School District in addition to doing his art. He then made the switch to Corbett as soon as there was an opening, and has now been driving the bus for Corbett Schools for 13 years. He loves it!! Joe does not have children of his own, but says the Corbett kids are "his kids" and he truly enjoys the relationships that he has developed over the years with the many, many different students he has had ride the bus. Joe had adults encourage him as a youth and he wants to do the same for the kids on his bus route! He considers it a honor to be a driver and says his two most important bus rules are to 1. Be safe and 2. Be KIND.