Grab your Kleenex, Gold Rush fans. Tonight we can gather together — via our TVs — to celebrate the life of Grandpa John Schnabel when Discovery airs the special Gold Rush: Remembering John Schnabel at 9pmET/PT (Friday, April 1). The kind-hearted, soft-spoken Grandpa John was a fan favorite for the past six seasons of Gold Rush, mentoring his grandson Parker Schnabel on the mining industry.
In this exclusive clip provided to us by Discovery, cameras document Grandpa John’s recent 96th birthday celebration from his hospital bed, where he is adorably cheery and good spirited — donning a green shirt and green tie. Grandpa John celebrated his 96th birthday on Feb. 11.
In the clip, Parker tells: “My grandpa’s never missed one of my birthdays, and I’m not about to start missing his.” The Schnabel family all gathered at the hospital including Grandpa John’s wife Irma, his two daughters, his son Roger and grandsons Parker and Payson.
“It’s great to be loved,” Grandpa John says in the clip. “The love that is in the air is the best present that anybody could receive. Material things are fine, but love is the most important — and I’m surrounded by it.”
A lasting message and gift to share. R.I.P.
!Estimada familia Schnabel!
No creo que pueda añadir palabras mucho más bonitas de las que ya se hayan dicho sobre su familia. Sobre todo admiro mucho a Parker que, como mama-fan admiradora suya que soy, todas las madres que tenemos hijos más o menos de la edad de el, hemos visto en Parker el hijo ideal, el hijo perfecto que todo padre queremos tener. Y del abuelo John, que voy a decir yo más: una joya de persona, un encanto, un trozo de oro puro. Que Dios lo bendiga a él en el cielo y a todos ustedes!!!
Parker your grandpa was the definition of a gentleman. He was such a gentle and loving man that you couldn,t help but love him. I know I did. You brought him such joy and the way he lit up when he saw you was wonderful. We will all miss him and when I see you I know I will see him.
I was truly moved by your grandfather’s love for his family
As they wheeled him away he sang to you to us
Those words held so much of what he wanted you to hear
They made me very sad and I cried
I can’t forget him singing those few words. I don’t know the name of the song? I hope you do, and it comforts you.
What a gift
I loved seeing the both of you Parker on the gold rush episodes, your grandpa with will always with you.
Parker, what a once in a life time adventure you had with your grandfather, most could only dream of such an awesome relationship with their grandfather. To be mentored by your grandfather, as you already know, is such an honor. You are truly blessed. Im hoping your memories will keep you smiling. I pray your sadness is overpowered by happy thoughts!!
Parker, Your Grand father showed the world how to love and live the right way, he was a man filled with wisdom and we all were lucky to have been given the chance to hear it from such a wonderful man,we will miss him and his sweet soul. God bless you and your family.
Parker your grandpa will never leave you, he will always be at your side. Remember what he instilled in you. Much love from my heart to you and your family.
To the Schnabel’s family: deepest sympathy to you and yours it’s a tremendous loss especially someone who was loved so much by family and people who watched the show…..special thoughts go to Parker who was so so close to his Grandfather… Grandpa John is in God’s hands now….Gold Rush will not be the same without his smiling face and wisdom…..
Im so sorry for your loss of grandpa schnabel he will always be with you parker and your family when he cried on the show i cried i didnt know him only from tv but you are so lucky to have had a wonderful and loving and caring grandpa like him. May he rest in piece that you for letting us get to know him and you and your family
Parker be strong for your Grandpa. He really loved you and you got to say goodbye. We really enjoyed watching John
God bless you and your family
Parker is was with a sense of loss that I watched tonight’s special tribute to your beloved grandpa. I know there is a hole in your life on the loss. Just remember the ,-, that is the time between birth and death. Parker you were so wonderfully blessed by having him in your life. The TV viewers will continue to miss him. And I feel your sense of loss. I am a grandpa and even a greatgrandpa. I am so sorry that my relations pales with you and the beloved John. I wish I can develope the relationships with mine that you had. I am going to be 75 on the 25th of this month. Parker may God continue to bless you and whatevet you undertake.
Parker we all loved the affection between u and your wonderful grandfather! My father past away at 91 1/2 5 months ago from dementia – like your mother said there is never enough time when he was such a part of your lives he was ALWAYS WITH U!!!!
Another very special ANGEL WHO IS SO VERY PROUD OF U AND WILL ALWAYS BE GUIDING U AND WATCHING OVER U
WE ALL FELT HIS DEEP LOVE FOR U! How blest u r to have had such a special relationship with your grandfather! When you experience such love THERE JUST NEVER IS ENOUGH TIME! May God bless and protect u ALWAYS!!!! U have such treasured memories of your lives together!!!!
With the greatest love and respect for u as a very SPECIAL GRANDSON -he needed u and u were there for him! What a wonderful 96th BIRTHDAY PARTY!
Parker my wife and I would like to give to you and your family or condolences in the passing of your grandfather. We have come to love him threw the show. We are so sorryfor your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family and friends, and May the Lord comfort you all in this time of sarrow and darkness.
Amen
Ps. Parker you were very lucky to have such a Great person in your life.
It was a joy watching him with parker my grandpa was the same way RIP GRANDPA
Grandpa John was a blessed loving man. A wonderful mentor for Parker.
Prayers for the entire Schnabel family.
God bless.
Another Angel in Heaven
Its been wonderful to watch the love on the air between grandpa john, and Parker, and to the whole Schnabel family. And oh you could just see the admiration, and love in him to all of you.
GRANDPA JOHN IS A ANGEL. Parker, when you mine again, know that Grandpa John is watching over you. Smiling his grin, again in great admiration and love.
I wish I could reach out and hug you all, for because of you Parker, and the whole family, he too, was like apart of our family too. HIS LOVE WAS CONTAGIOUS, AND VIEWERS SAW IT EVERY WEEK.
KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALL LOVED, SPECIAL, AND YOU HAVE MY SYMPATHYS. GOD BLESS
AND MAY HE BRING YOU PEACE AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
What a wonderful family man. His legacy is the love of life, family and morals to pass on. Reminded me of my grandfather who would speak of remembering your children’s children. sympathies to the family.
He was such a joy to watch, though he was 96 years young he had the attitude of a young person. Sorry to see him go. May Parker and his brother carry on his legacy. Good luck boys you have a great man to follow.
We totally adored grandpa Schnabel and we know he is now in the arms of our Heavenly Father! He was such a good moral man with so much love and patience! We will truly miss him…he was part of our family as he was to so many others! Our deepest sympathy to the entire Schnabel family, especially Parker!
John; like many other other great people of his generation had only love and affection to offer you, pure generosity
please do not forget he will always be with you, as long as you need him he will be there