It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Mr. Claude E. (Bud) Schindler, the architect of Dayton Christian School System, who departed this life on March 1, 2025 at the age of 90. Bud was highly regarded by Christian educators from around the world, yet he led with humility, devoting more than 60 years of his life to educating thousands of students with eternity as his main goal.
A family life rooted in Christ
At an early age, Bud felt the call of God on his life. He was raised in a Christian home and witnessed the transformative power of faith through his parents, Claude and Dorothy Schindler. Their commitment to Christ laid the foundation for Bud’s lifelong journey in ministry and education. After graduating from Oakwood High School and studying engineering at the University of Cincinnati, he served in the Air Force, while God continued to prepare him for an even greater purpose in the years to come.
Bud’s life was one of profound personal faith and resilience. Alongside his beloved wife, Carole, he faced the joys and trials of parenthood, which included the heartbreaking loss of an infant daughter. Through every challenge, Bud and Carole found strength in their faith, teaching their children the importance of prayer and trust in God’s faithfulness.
Bud’s love for his five children and his grandchildren was evident in all he did. His family made ministry a collective mission, emphasizing the importance of faith and education from the moment he was called to start what would become the largest Christian school in Greater Dayton.
A call to something higher
In 1963, Bud played a pivotal role in establishing Dayton Christian Schools, transforming an idea initiated by the senior pastor of Patterson Park Brethren Church into reality. From a worldly perspective, he was very successful, building a solid and lucrative career at Dayton-based NCR Corp. However, God planted a restlessness in him, and he recognized the Lord's call when the steering committee asked him to serve as Dayton Christian's first leader. During the first decade of Dayton Christian's existence, Bud balanced his roles as a businessman and educator. In 1972, he left his position at NCR to fully dedicate himself to the growth and development of the school.
The school began out of a conviction that Christian families should have access to Christian education for their children. At the time, there were no available Christian schools in the area. Bud once said, “God said, ‘My son, I want you to go and be a part of a school system.’ And then I began to have to do some research and build my knowledge base of what Christian education was really about.”
The system, which initially included multiple campuses across Greater Dayton, eventually expanded to an enrollment of 2,900 students, making it one of the largest Christian school systems in the country. A portion of the system's growth stemmed from collaborations with smaller Christian schools, such as Troy Christian School and Xenia Christian School (now Legacy Christian), which sought Dayton Christian's support to establish or expand their campuses.
Over four decades, his roles as Bible teacher, principal, superintendent, and President Emeritus were marked by a passion for teaching the Gospel and a commitment to excellence in Christian education. Bud authored several books on Christian education, including 'Educating for Eternity,' which was translated into three languages. He was instrumental in establishing the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and traveled worldwide to mentor and encourage Christian educators.
Bud's impact extended far beyond the classroom. Even up to his 90th birthday celebration, he was known for his warm greetings, heartfelt prayers, and compassionate guidance for students and faculty. His profound belief in the transformative power of Christ-centered education left a lasting legacy for over 5,000 alumni and their families. Today, his contributions to advancing Christian education across the country are remembered by those following in his footsteps.
Remembering a life of obedience
As we remember Bud, we celebrate a life lived in devotion to Christ and a mission fulfilled in service to others. His favorite scripture, Acts 20:24, encapsulates his life’s work: “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus.”
Bud’s steadfast love for the Lord and commitment to educating for eternity will continue to inspire those he touched. We invite you to visit our social media post to leave a memory or favorite photo in the comments section. Also, take time to hear about Dayton Christian's history in Bud's own words.
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