Westchester County Battalion Chief Robert J. Schnibbe, Jr., died Friday evening March 3, 2006 while directing operations at a structure fire in the Village of Irvington.

He was born December 31, 1948, son of Robert J. and Anne (Tassio) Schnibbe. 

Chief Schnibbe began his volunteer firefighting career as a member of Protection Engine Company #1 of the Hastings-on-Hudson Fire Department (Engine 44). He served six years as company line officer and twenty-four years as Chief officer for the Department from 1977 to 2001.


He was a member of numerous fire service organizations including the Westchester County Volunteer Firefighters Assoc., the NYS Assoc. of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Westchester County Parade Judges Assoc., where he was serving as President at the time of his death. 

Chief Schnibbe was appointed Chief of Battalion 14 of Westchester County in 2003. In this position, he was responsible for coordinating mutual aid operations in Hastings-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Elmsford, Ardsley, Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow.

Because of his responsibilities as a mutual aid coordinator and his activities in numerous fire service organizations, Chief Schnibbe was one of the most widely known and respected fire officials in Westchester County and throughout the state.

Other fireman related memberships include the Hudson Valley Blue Vest Assoc., the Hudson Valley Volunteer Fireman's Assoc., Firemans Assoc. of the state of New York, the Southern NY Volunteer Fireman's Assoc., the Hastings on Hudson Ambulance Corps, the Village of Hastings Safety Council and the Hastings Exempts and Benevolent Assoc. Robert was a member of the Quad Village Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of the Southside Social Athletic Club, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the Holy Name Society of St. Matthew's R.C Church, where he was a parishioner.
He was an independent Insurance agent and a lifelong resident of Hastings-on-Hudson

Surviving him is his beloved family, his mother Anne, wife Jean, son Brian, daughter Jennifer (Brad Cummings), stepson Michael (Kimberly) Bloomer, 2 grandchildren, Britney and Courtney, his brothers, Thomas (Nancy) and Steven (Ginny), sister Margie and many nieces, nephews and friends. His father Robert and sister Annemarie predeceased him.

Mass of the Resurrection 10am Friday, St. Matthew's R.C. Church, Hastings-on-Hudson. Visiting Wednesday and Thursday 2-4 and 7-9pm Edwards-Dowdle Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials to the Hasting Volunteer Fire Department.