Honoring Frank Schneider

Frank along with Herman Ponder founded the Colorado Bicycle Racing Association for Seniors (COBRAS) in 1991. Over the years Frank guided and grew the club until its membership almost reached 100.  After passing the torch to others to manage, Frank was always in the background offering assistance when needed.  He helped the club financially by offering sponsorship dollars from time to time.

Frank was a very tenacious man.  When the club decided to participate in the Tour de Cure ride for the American Diabetes Association and raise funds for the cause, Frank was all in.  In fact, that year he raised over $17,000 and became the volunteer raising the most in any previous year.

(The following is the formal obituary that appeared when Frank passed.)


September 29, 1933, Frank Stanley Schneider (Ephriam ben Nachman v’ Mindel) was born in Denver, Colorado.  As he grew up, he celebrated his bar mitzvah, attended Denver North High School, got his bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver, served in the U.S. Army, got his MBA from DU, and became a CPA.  (Not all at once, mind you).

On October 15, 1960, he married our mother, Dena Rene Berkowitz.

Dena and Frank had three children, Brad, Kim, and Tracey (Tracey will argue the child thing improved each time, though all are wonderful.) He was incredibly proud of his family, and certainly our achievements and successes. But he was most proud of our choices in life partners (Julie, Charles, and Harry) and his truest love and pride, his eight extraordinary grandchildren—Adam, Daniel, Isaac, Max, Eli, Molly, Henry, and Jacob. Each grandchild was his favorite in their own distinct way. His favorite, without a doubt, however, was Sam.  (Sam was the golden retriever who replaced Brad when he left for college).

Frank was a wonderful father who taught more by example than words.  His lessons were: be honest, work hard, give your all, never quit, love your community, love Israel, and serve others. He taught that you can do and be anything, as long as you put your heart and soul into achieving your goals. He gave each of us the freedom to pursue our dreams and stood by us and took pride in us—and his grandchildren—every step of the way.

Frank started his professional career in public accounting, rising to managing partner before merging with a national firm in 1969, and then starting his own firm, Schneider and Schuster, in 1976. Eventually, he transitioned to family business consulting and opened Schneider Consulting Group (SCG), helping businesses and families prosper and thrive. He quickly became a national thought leader in this emerging field.

Brad worked with Frank and SCG for two years in the 1990s and then Kim was his business partner for two decades. Together they built not only a respected brand but, more importantly, lifetime friendships with their clients.

Beyond family and profession, Frank loved sports.  He was on his high school tennis team, played competitive handball (that’s a thing), and skied in everything from leather boots and wood slats to ultimately comfy boots and high-tech skis. In midlife, he discovered bicycling which became his life’s passion.  He joined many multi-day mountain bike rides including Schlepp the Slopes and Elephant Rock. He traveled around the country competing in the Senior Olympics and founded the Colorado Bicycle Racing for Seniors (COBRAs) bike club. Into his 80s, Frank competed in the Cherry Creek Criterium races.

Frank also loved food, all kinds of food, and it was not necessary that it be good food. He had a particularly insatiable appetite for desserts. And again, not necessarily good desserts. But no one enjoyed a meal more, and a meal was always more enjoyable surrounded by family or friends.

Last, but not least, Frank was a lifetime learner.  He especially enjoyed OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute). He loved the classes and loved, even more, sharing his passion for each class with his friends.

On January 18, 2023 (the 26th of Tevet 5783) Frank was gathered with his ancestors.

Our parents’ 62+ years together are an inspiration for all of us. Our dad’s joy for life, his perseverance, sacrifice, integrity, and resilience all had a profound influence on each of us, our children, cousins, and friends. We already miss him terribly, but he lives on within each of us and his grandchildren.  We expect he will be in heaven wearing his COBRAs bike jersey and looking for riding partners.  He will also likely be complaining about the Broncos trading for Russell Wilson.

May his memory be a blessing.


We were so blessed to have COBRAS, Frank’s guidance, and his friendship.  Anyone who worked or rode with Frank in the club over the years knows what a kind-giving man he was.  It is with collective heavy hearts that we the COBRAS honor our teammate.  Rest in peace, Frank.