The hit Discovery show "Gold Rush" pays tribute tonight to the late John Schnabel, who viewers of the show knew as the "Grandpa" of young miner Parker Schnabel. According to Discovery, Schnabel, 96, died in his sleep on March 18.
In a statement, Schnabel's family said, "We couldn't have asked for a better father, grandfather and overall family man. He was a true legend and we appreciate all of your love and support as we celebrate his wonderful life."
Much of "Gold Rush" is filled with competition and sometimes harsh comments between rival gold miners, Parker Schnabel and Todd Hoffman, who lives in Sandy, Oregon.
But John Schnabel's appearances were always touching, as the elder Schnabel offered advice and encouragement to his grandson, Parker, who was following in his grandfather's footsteps.
Before he got into mining, the Kansas-born Schnabel grew up in Klamath Falls, in southern Oregon. People magazine reports that Schnabel's wheat farmer father, "fled to Alaska after U.S. Marshals came looking for him for brewing bootleg alcohol."
Schnabel moved to Alaska at age 19, served in World War II, and continued to work in the sawmill and logging business. As the Alaska News Dispatch reports, "At its peak, the Schnabel Lumber Co. employed 120 people. He was also Haines' mayor several times, built most of Main Street and had a share in the power company, a motel and hardware store."
Another story from the Alaska News Dispatch recounts Schnabel's 90th birthday party at the local Elks club in 2010.
After retiring from logging, People reports, "Schnabel purchased the Gold Nugget Mine in Porcupine Creek, Alaska nearly 30 years ago when at age 68 he faced a health crisis. Doctors told him that he needed to remain active after undergoing a triple bypass, and he saw the mine as a way to accomplish that as well as to have a place to take his family."
The "Gold Rush" special, "Remembering John Schnabel," airs at 9 p.m. tonight on the Discovery Channel.
-- Kristi Turnquist
kturnquist@oregonian.com
503-221-8227
@Kristiturnquist