Travis Michael Schneider, record holder for the most consecutive Tallahassee Marathons (26), avid pilot, and retired aerospace and public engineer, died at his home Saturday, September 20, 2008. He was 71 years old. A wonderful companion, father and friend, Mike was born in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Feb. 20, 1937, raised in both Georgia and Florida, and graduated from St. Petersburg High School. He served in the United States Air Force as a mechanic, where he developed an interest in flying. Mike attended Florida State University and, following his graduation, started a position with Pan Am at Cape Canaveral, which afforded him the opportunity to travel all over the world. He later pursued and received his master's degree in engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology. While living in Indian Harbour Beach, Mike enjoyed competitive sailing along the Eau Gallie River, and shortly thereafter his love for running began. In Tallahassee, he worked as a civil engineer for both the State of Florida and the City of Tallahassee. Mike was a competitor and loved a good contest. He was a member of Gulf Winds Track Club for more than 30 years and was a regular at the local and regional races. Throughout his running career, he received multiple awards and completed two Boston Marathons. Mike passed on his enthusiasm for running by serving as a volunteer cross-country coach for eight years at both Belle Vue and Cobb middle schools, impacting the lives of many students. He also informally mentored numerous adolescents, offering race tips and training advice, thus encouraging their interest in recreational and competitive running. He was frequently seen in northeast Tallahassee on his long training runs In the late '70s Mike became serious about flying, and during his years of flying landed either his Cessna or Maule airplanes at least once in each of the 48 contiguous states. He used his expertise to offer other pilots assistance with safety and technical issues. Another passion over the last several years was Seminole baseball. He actually counted down the days each year until the "first pitch" and flew his plane to away games to cheer on his beloved 'Noles. Mike was a long-standing member of Killearn United Methodist Church, and he had sung in the church choir since 1975. Mike is survived by his best friend and long partner in life, Susan Cornwell; daughter and son-in-law, Lee and Mark Cotter, and his grandsons, Andrew, Matthew and Luke Cotter, all of Salt Lake City, Utah; his sister and brother-in-law, Melinda and Don Pearl of Monticello, Fla., and his niece, Stephanie Henderson of Clearwater, Fla. A memorial service will be held at Killearn United Methodist Church on Friday, September 26, at 3 p.m. EDT. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in his memory to Killearn United Methodist Church, 2800 Shamrock South, Tallahassee, FL 32309.
