Harold E. Schneider grew up near Greenville, Illinois, and was a friend of the Cartmell family. He became a military physician (Colonel in the US Army Medical Corps) and served during WWII.

He graduated from Greenville College in 1924 and received his MD degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri., in 1928. He trained at the Army Medical School in 1931, and the Army School of Aviation Medicine in 1932. He was a flight surgeon.

After his long military career, he died in San Antonio, Texas in 1969 at age 67.

Dr. Schneider wrote to Tom in April, 1943:

Col. H.E. Schneider Med Corps
Station Hospital
Buckley Field, Colo
April 16, 1943

Dear Tommie,

I hardly can picture you being 6 ft tall and weighing 150 pounds – neither does it seem possible that you are as old as you are. You see I remember you only as when I last saw you. Got your address from your father and heard about you being in the Army from my sister Nell. I wonder if you would care to tell me about your present plans and generally about your present duties. You can be assured, that if allowed, I would like to be regarded by you as life long friend because your mother was the grandest person that ever lived as far as I am concerned. ^[1]Tom and Elaine’s mother, Oradelle Cartmell, died in 1934. We are all well and Mary and I often think of you, Elaine – your father and specifically Mrs. Oradelle Cartmell. Nancy is eleven years old and is having all the troubles of a 5th grader with long division and fractions.

Best regards

Harold