The Schvaneveldt family has recently experienced profound loss. This tribute remembers Chad Schvaneveldt, a man with deep roots in the horse racing industry, a loving family, and a battle with personal demons. It also acknowledges the passing of his father, Phillip Schvaneveldt, and Chad's wife, Jane Schvaneveldt.
Horse racing was a central part of Chad Schvaneveldt's life and career.
The Passing of Jane Schvaneveldt
After a brave battle with invasive cancer, Jane Schvaneveldt, 63, passed away on July 20, 2022, surrounded by the love of her family in Windsor, Colorado. She was born with a love for horses. Throughout her childhood she spent her time with horses - showing them in 4-H, running barrels in high school and pro rodeos, training them on the racetrack and most importantly taking the best care of them.
Jane met her husband, Chad, on the racetrack as they both had strong roots in the horse racing industry. The two married on October 15, 1989. They made their home and raised their two kids, Shane and Chanel, in Pleasanton, CA. Jane spent her adult years caring for, teaching and creating a beautiful life for her family. Alongside being a true horsewoman and a loving mother and wife, Jane always sought out adventure and creativity to make the world a more colorful place.
Jane is survived by her parents, Robert and Marcene Martin; husband, Chad Schvaneveldt; son, Shane Schvaneveldt; daughter, Chanel (Schvaneveldt) Haworth; grandson, Jaspur James Haworth; her sister, Janet Martin; her brothers, Jerry and Bobby Martin.
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Phillip Schvaneveldt's Legacy
Phillip (Phil) Schvaneveldt passed away at his home in Glendale, AZ, on September 5th, 2023, surrounded by his family. Phil was born in Weston, ID, on November 22nd, 1942, to Leland Erastus Schvaneveldt & Lila May Booth. He was the 9th of 12 children.
Growing up in the country made it possible for Phil to enjoy the wonders and adventures of the great outdoors. He enjoyed all outdoor activities & became an avid hunter, fisherman, & above all, a great horseman. He graduated from West Side High School in 1962 where he lettered in basketball, football, softball, and track.
Phil began his career as a Thoroughbred Racehorse Trainer in 1964 at smaller racetracks in ID & UT. He continued to train at multiple prominent racetracks in WA, CO, NE, AZ, & Northern CA prior to settling back in AZ.
Phil was deeply loved and admired & will be remembered as a fun-loving, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, and friend, but most lovingly as “PAPA” to his grandchildren & great grandchildren.
Phil is proceeded in death by his son Chad, daughter-in-law Jane, granddaughter Falon, his parents, and 9 siblings. He is survived by wife Zefa, son Jeff, daughters Lila and Shannon, 9 grandchildren: Lacy, Cody, Chelsi, Tyler, Shane, Lexi, Jonny, Chanel, and Nick, and 6 great-grandchildren: Harlow, Kennedy, Charlee, Chase, Jaspur, and Beau. He was looking forward to meeting 2 expected baby girls, Juniper Jane in Oct. 2023, and Elizabeth Marie due Mar.
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Chad Schvaneveldt's Struggles and Recovery
Chad Schvaneveldt faced significant challenges in his life, including a battle with alcoholism and addiction. Toward the end, Schvaneveldt would be drinking at a horse track. Last December, Schvaneveldt ran out of guardian angels after testing positive at the Sonoma County Fair.
This resulted in him being handed a six-month suspension. ”I had such a short fuse,” he said. He said, ”liquor was more fun. MORE liquor. And then MORE cocaine." He began to drink to ease the pain of the injury he sustained at Golden Gate Fields when a horse rolled on top of him, rupturing several blood vessels in his stomach.
”It was scary,” Schvaneveldt said. ”I could see what was going to happen to my life if I didn’t stop and yet I was still doing it." Jane was ready to take the two kids and leave him last December. Schvaneveldt said he would come home and he wouldn’t remember how he’d got there. He said he would wake up in the morning and I’d have to have a couple shots to get started.
”Both times I said I was an alcoholic but I didn’t mean it," he said. "I was just saying what I knew people wanted to hear. This time, I mean it." For 70 days, Schvaneveldt pursued sobriety. He drinks Mountain Dew like tap water. This is IT, his last chance, and he knows it.
Schvaneveldt described the insidious nature of his addiction, personifying alcohol as a tempting and destructive force. He said, ”Come on, buddy, I’m alcohol and I’m your friend. I was under your car seat so you could use me wherever you went? Just snort a little cocaine and you’d snap right back to me. I take reality away. Wasn’t that great? And Schvaneveldt would start to feel good again."
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Despite his struggles, Chad was known to be always ready. He always has to be on his person at all times, except when he’s in his racing silks. The enemy can approach him at anytime. He can feel its presence. The craving. The thirst. The escape. oblivion.
He can feel its presence. The craving. The thirst. The escape. oblivion.
In Memoriam
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