Shane Ronet (A.K.A Stephen Schneider)

Shane Ronet (a.k.a. Stephen Lain Schneider) passed away peacefully in his Burien, WA home on January 8th, 2023, at the age of 74. His death released his spirit from the cruel ravage of Parkinson’s and dementia.

Shane was born and raised in Ft. Madison, Iowa. He was a protective older brother, the eldest of 4 siblings. He was a curious and adventurous child. He and his sister Sue once built a raft on which they planned to travel down the Mississippi River. Fortunately, their plans were discovered and thwarted by their mother Betty before they could launch. From an early age, Shane was protective of all living creatures and wouldn’t hesitate to save a worm drying out in the sun on the sidewalk. He rescued a turtle he named George and kept as a pet for many years.

Shane left home at the age of 18 to embark on a lifelong journey of making connections with people through art and music. He traveled and was lost to his family for a few years until he appeared in a photo in Time Magazine. He was pictured sitting on a sea wall in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in an open kimono with outstretched arms. People seemed drawn to him wherever he went.

Shane was an incredibly talented and prolific artist and musician. He dressed flamboyantly and loved to dance. He was a trickster and a comedian. He was a poet, a mystic, a sage. He saw the divine in everything and everyone. He was a lifelong vegetarian and a devoted disciple of Maharaji. He was a master at living in the moment. If you were hurting, he responded with warmth and a kind word of wisdom. It is not hyperbole to say that Shane had a profound impact on everyone who befriended him – and he befriended everyone he met.

He is survived by his children John Strong, Seth Landsdale, Zana Hasicic, and Alice Thorell; his sisters Sue Rohr, Sarah LaBov, and Avery Pollack; and his ex-wives Patty Reynolds and Sally Lansdale. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Betty Schneider.

Shane’s body will be composted into dirt and returned to the earth. His spirit will live on in our memories and stories.