In Memory of Dale Schnackel, 1930 – 2014

Dale Eller Schnackel, Founder of Omaha based Schnackel Engineers, Inc., died at Brookestone Village in Omaha on Tuesday June 3, 2014 at the age of 84.  Born February 9, 1930, in Hamburg, Iowa to Clarence and Mary Schnackel, Dale attended Omaha’s Technical High School.  Dale graduated from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1956. While attending UNL, he was a scholarship member of the University’s Track and Field team, competing in the middle distance events.

Dale served in the United States Army during the post-WWII era, stationed in Berlin, Germany as a Staff Sargent.  Dale married Marvel Meisinger of Louisville, Nebraska in 1956 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. 

Dale’s 44-year career as a Professional Engineer in the mechanical, electrical and plumbing disciplines began in 1956 at the James P. Anderson Company, located in Omaha.  Dale was subsequently employed by Leo A. Daly Company as a Lead Mechanical Engineer and was involved in major local and national projects including Clarkson Hospital, Offutt Air Force Base, Burke High School, Swanson Library and other notable projects throughout the country including work at the Pentagon.  Dale established Dale Schnackel Company in 1968, which was later renamed Schnackel Engineers, Inc.  During Dale’s 30-years of leadership, Dale Schnackel Company grew from a small, regional engineering firm into a highly innovative, nationally recognized design firm, with projects located throughout North America and Hawaii. A visionary,  Dale was instrumental in bringing Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) to the Omaha market, as the first independent engineering firm to adopt CADD technology during its infancy in 1982.  Dale’s interest in constantly bringing the latest technology to the engineering field led to many innovations within the MEP engineering industry, including AEA Integration software, which automates and optimizes the design of building services systems.  Schnackel Engineers currently has over 100 employees located in four offices across the country and remains a respected and innovative leader in the industry. Upon retirement in 1999, Dale was named an ASHRAE Fellow and lifetime member of the National Society of Professional Engineers.

Dale and Marvel were charter members of King of Kings Lutheran Church, where they remained very active, serving on various boards and committees throughout the years as the church expanded. Dale enjoyed travel, athletics, friends and family and was a devoted husband and father to his four children and six grandchildren.

Dale is survived by wife Marvel; daughters Gayle Schnackel (Steve Jones) and Susan Sorgenfrei (Kevin); sons Gregory Schnackel (Laura) and Brian Schnackel (Cindy); grandchildren Nicole Sommer, Philip Sommer, Elizabeth Sorgenfrei, Mikaela Sorgenfrei, Sara Schnackel and Vinson Schnackel; great grandson Traetyn Sorgenfrei; and brother Henry “Hank” Schnackel (Phyllis) of Des Moines, Iowa.

Memorials may be sent to King of Kings Lutheran Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church of Louisville, Nebraska or The American Cancer Society.