Schindler steps down from foundation

Schindler steps down from foundation - A man in glasses looking at the camera - Business executive

Foundation Board names Condas to replace him

On Wednesday, the Fishermen’s Community Hospital Foundation Board voted to name Marv Schindler as director emeritus. He is stepping down as the president of the foundation and is widely recognized as the founder of the group started in 2013.

In addition to creating the foundation, Marv also oversaw the hospital’s transition from when HMA leased the hospital building and ran a for-profit business to its current situation, where Quorum Health Resources operates the hospital on behalf of Fishermen’s Community Hospital, a nonprofit organization. He served on the hospital’s nonprofit board of trustees for decades, as well.

“It’s just time for this old boy to move on,” Marv said, with characteristic humility.

Since the Foundation was created, the group has managed to raise close to $700,000 and form a group of donors that share his vision. The money raised helps fund improvement projects at the hospital which in turn raises the quality of care for Middle Keys residents.

“The single most important thing the foundation can do is convince the citizens of this community that they own that hospital,” Marv said. “Our biggest challenge is to convince this community to take an interest.”

Sherry Popham joined the foundation at the behest of Marv a year ago.

“Marv has a real heart for that hospital and he understands the importance of its existence and survival in this community,” Popham said. She said his style of leadership is quiet, yet inspiring.

Kim Gregory, executive director of the foundation, has worked closely with Marv for years.

“Marv has both the vision and ambition to get this foundation off the ground and running,” Gregory said. “He will be greatly missed, but I know he will always be a phone call away when needed.”

Marv moved to Marathon in 1982 after retiring as a pilot with the U.S. Navy. He did three tours in Vietnam, which his friend David Kirwan said earned him numerous commendations including the Flying Cross and Air Medal.

“Those are both very big deals,” Kirwan said, adding that he and Marv have been friends for 25 years and shared many travel adventures.

Besides the hospital, Marv has also been involved in the local aviation community, efforts to restore Pigeon Key, a past president of the Marathon Chamber of Commerce and youth club activities when his own children were little. Marv is married to Gail and has two grown sons. He expects to add to his collection of grandchildren in February.

With Marv stepping down, the board elected a new crop of locals to serve. Teresa Condas has been named president, Sherry Popham is vice president, JoAnn Brown is treasurer and secretary and Barbara Wright and Dianne Weitz will also serve on the board.

The foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year — the Sweetheart Ball — is on track for 2016. And Marv will still be involved, of course.

“That’s his baby,” Popham said. “Although he’s basically retired, he will still be working on that party plans for February.”

Sara Matthis thinks community journalism is important, but not serious; likes weird and wonderful children (she has two); and occasionally tortures herself with sprint-distance triathlons, but only if she has a good chance of beating her sister.