Sadness at Regatta Park
I last saw and spoke to Bill Schnittman on Monday at the annual Retro Metro OKC Christmas party. Bill wasn’t an Oklahoma City native – he is part of a new community being forged together along the Oklahoma River. He was a Michigan native who was eagerly making Oklahoma City his home – and the launching pad for his ambitions to join the U.S. Olympic Rowing team.
That dream will never be realized. On Friday, Bill was gunned down as part of a confusing series of events involving the abduction and assault of a woman, and the eventually suicide of the killer.
You can read more about Bill in his hometown newspaper.
I’ve been contacted by friends and acquaintances I have in the rowing community who clearly wish to have a forum to mourn their loss, pay tribute to the man.
I wish I had gotten to know Bill better. He was a good guy, very friendly, always eager to hear about the city’s history. His hair always looked as it did in the photo above (which makes me smile). I did not know the personal jeopardy he faced. He was just one of many newcomers I’ve met over the past few years, quite a few drawn by opportunities along the Oklahoma River, who loved Oklahoma City and yearned to learn more about their new hometown.
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Comments
Steve, thanks for posting this. I remember Bill from what I think was his first Retro Metro meeting down on Film Row. He mentioned that he had moved to OKC for the rowing. How very said for his family.
That would be Judge Lisa Hammond. Not faulting her mistake but at least she could do is offer a statement offering her condolences
The OKC Boathouse Foundation will hosting a celebration of Bill’s life on Friday at 4:00pm in the Devon Boathouse. We welcome all to join us. This will be a casual event – just as Bill would have wanted it.
Steve: Thank you for your posting about Bill. The rowing/ boathouse community is trying to come to terms with this senseless tragedy and the fact we lost such a unique and wonderful soul who had such a positive impact on so many lives. Bill carried himself with a unique spirit that drew people to him, showing a seemingly equal passion for his own pursuit of the Olympic dream and for the work he did to help others – especially the many young people he inspired. Bill was a prime representation of the type of people who the river is drawing to OKC – people who not only come here to train, but come to love our city and eagerly find ways to engage and give back. He will be truly missed. The OKC Boathouse Foundation is planning to host a memorial service for Bill after the holidays when all of the athletes return and are able to join in a celebration of Bill’s life. Details of this service will be announced soon. We are all keeping Bill and his family in our thoughts and prayers over this holiday season.