Luke Richard Schnellbaecher
Jun 16, 1994 -
Jan 1, 2021
Luke Richard Schnellbaecher, 26, passed away on Jan. 1, 2021, in Pine Grove, Calif.
Luke was born on June 16, 1994, at Babies Hospital in New York, N.Y. He moved with his family to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1996, and grew up skiing, fishing, hunting and loving all the outdoors Alaska had to offer.
He graduated from East Anchorage High School in 2012, excelling as middle infielder for four years on the East varsity baseball team and as an undersized inside linebacker on the varsity football team.
Luke graduated from Creighton University in 2016 with a B.A. in economics and the love of his life Samantha. He played for the Creighton rugby team for four years, known for his fierceness on the pitch and charisma off it.
He was living in Pine Grove, Calif., with his fiance Samantha Anderson and their English mastiff Jax. He was employed at the El Dorado Savings Bank.
Luke is survived by his fiance, Samantha Anderson (and Jax); his parents, Jo Ann and Matt Schnellbaecher; brothers, Adam (Allie Walsh) and Matthew; paternal grandfather, William Schnellbaecher; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He is also survived by numerous "best" friends.
He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Richard and Josephine Vizzari; paternal grandmother, Jude Schnellbaecher; and aunt, Marie Hayden.
Luke was known for his infectious smile and making people feel like they were the only one in the room. He was tough as nails on the outside with a huge and tender heart on the inside. Luke was an ardent defender/supporter of the underdog.
He was our gift from God, taken too soon.
Funeral service is planned for Jan. 23, 2021, at 2 p.m., at St. Patrick's Church in Anchorage where, due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance is by invitation only. The service will be live streamed on the St. Patrick's Parish Anchorage Facebook page.
In "Lou" of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the "Luke Schnellbaecher Memorial Scholarship" Creighton University, P.O. Box 30282, Omaha, NE 68103, for a rugby player with financial need, who is fierce on the field and gentle-hearted off.
