Obituaries detail

Matthew Robert Schnug
Oct 22, 1949 - Mar 12, 2025

Matthew Robert Schnug,75, died at home in Overland Park, Kansas on March 12, 2025. 

Matt was born to Robert M. and Shirley Schnug on October 22,1949 while they were living in Wauwatosa, WisconsinAccording to his mother he was a “very busy” and “determined” boy from the start but had a “sweet” disposition.   

Matt stayed busy and determined all his life and made friends wherever he went  His younger years were spent playing outside, working with his grandma at the A&W, lifeguarding, doing yardwork, and cleaning the garage.  He left Wisconsin a Packers fan. After moving from Wauwatosa to Overland Park in 1967 busy changed a bit as he started his senior year at Shawnee Mission South high schoolHe found new interests and didn’t play as many sports but found more friendsMatt graduated from SM South in 1968 and headed to the University of Kansas where, with great determination, he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1972While there he attended classes, made lifelong friends, met his future wife, Margaret, and made her friends his friends tooDespite spilling a drink in Margaret’s lap (when she called him Mike instead of Matt) on their first date and taking her to shoot rats at the Eudora dump on a second date (of great family lore), they married in 1972. With his outgoing and affable nature, Matt started a long and rewarding career in medical sales. The family grew with the addition of daughters Sara and Meredith and multiple cats. Matt drove his daughters’ carpool, packed lunches, served as a room parent, and toted the girls to activities.   Neighbors were friends and kids knocked on the door for Matt to come out and play.   He stayed busy but no longer cleaned the garageFor ten years the family spent summer weekends at their cabin at Lake of the Ozarks and Matt continued water skiing, taught kids to ski, fished, grilled, and entertained friends and family.  In later years, the family vacationed together He was NOT the most patient traveler, but even he could share a good laugh about a family trip to Arizona that rivaled a National Lampoon’s vacation. 

Matt was an avid KU football and basketball fan and proudly served as “Master of the Brackets” during March Madness after Rob resigned Matt resigned as “Master" earlier this year due to his struggle with his vision. In his retirement he was often on the golf course or watching sports with buddies and friends He finally started cheering for the Chiefs but still watched the Packers, perfected smoking ribs, salmon, and burnt ends, enjoyed new restaurants, good red wine, a cigar on the screen porch, and his friends.   

 Matt loved family with all his heart. Family had a broad definition to him and he enjoyed any role he played in their lives.   

His beloved granddaughters affectionately called him Moose or Moosie and brought the kid in him to light They brought hours of play and joy to his life. He believed Sara and Meredith "hung the moon” and could not have asked for better kids.”  He loved and respected Chris like one of his own. He and Margaret were married for fifty-two years and together faced the challenges and experienced the joys of lifeHe will be in our hearts forever. 

Matt was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Shirley Schnug, and father-in-law Glenn Riley.  He is survived by his wife Margaret Riley Schnug, daughters Sara Schnug and Meredith Schnug (Chris Lahna), granddaughters Emerson and Rowan, sister Heidi Price (Joseph), brother Mark Schnug (Sue Carpenter), many dear in-laws and friends who have stories to tell. 

The family will gather privately to celebrate Matt’s life.  

 

Condolences

Thomas S Davis Mar 26, 2025

Friend ,Lawrence ,Kansas

It was my privilege to get to know Matt through "the book club". I always looked forward to talking with him. He was funny and smart and always had interesting things to say. I join you in grieving his loss, for he passed from this world far too young. --Tom Davis

Mark Theis Mar 26, 2025

Friend ,Wautoma ,Wisconsin

Matt and I met at Longfellow Junior High and became close friends our Sophomore and Junior years of high school. Then his father transferred to Kansas and we lost track of each other. As fate would have it we reconnected 7 years ago. Matt asked our webmaster of our high school reunion committee if it would be possible to get some of his old friends email addresses. I invited Matt to a golf outing I have each spring which he attended. It was great to see him again and I know he got a kick out of being with a bunch of guys he grew up with. Matt, we’ll miss you this year and those great ribs you always brought with you. I’m thankful we got to share time with you again. Wish it could have been longer. Take care my friend.

Tom Nelson Mar 28, 2025

friend ,Prairie Vlg ,Kansas

I got to know Matt via his brother-in-law, Joe, and had many a Friday Happy Hour and book club session in his company. His multi-recipient texts are legendary. He made sure to question my wardrobe choices, and I'd make sure to correct his spelling. All done in a kindly and jovial fashion, of course. His and Margaret's hostings of porch gatherings have inspired many imitators. Matt's curiosity and enthusiasm to learn about others' interests was endearing, always pointing to understanding. A gentle and decent fellow with surprising interests. Now who will send us YouTube links for unknown Broadway standards singers?

Jean Davis Mar 30, 2025

Friend ,Frisco ,Texas

Oh, how I'm going to miss this guy! My friendship with Margaret brought him into my life, and he was a great addition. He built a bookcase for my apartment. He put together the furniture I gave up on. He told me to go see Michael Ball in concert before anyone even knew who Michael Ball was. He successfully coached me on how to get my boyfriend to marry me. And Matt brought the funny. I can't count the times his deadpan delivery made me laugh so hard I had tears rolling down my cheeks. He was - always will be - one in a zillion. Thank you, Matt. You were a great part of my life.