One of the last birthdays we celebrated was his, his 19th. We had one month with him home, watching the World Series, celebrating birthdays and visits with friends. Upon release I took him directly for a vivitrol injection. He spent three weeks in jail and was released on house arrest. It’s a long story, but he was arrested in connection with a friends overdose. Take him to college, to room with his lifelong friend, and all would be ok. But we, as his parents, thought this was going to solve his problem. While he graduated sum cum lauded one year earlier than his classmates, he was a heroin addict. We took him off to college like any other student. Why would he “choose to do this”? Why wouldn’t he just stop? I feel like such a failure not understanding him. Once we knew he was “using” we still didn’t understand. Never ever did I suspect that my son was injecting heroin. We did as much as we could for as long as we could, but again, we never really understood the depths of addiction. Ultimately this could not save him from himself. We were lucky to have the money to do what all the “specialists “ said to do. We tried all that was offered to us, wilderness and therapeutic boarding school to follow. Not only had they changed, but we didn’t understand the depths of addiction. What we didn’t know is that the drugs had changed considerably. While we were concerned, we were not overly as we both experimented with drugs in our teen years. In 9th grade the troubles began with drugs. Always at the top of his class academically while struggling socially. He was in honors classes since 5th grade while playing in the orchestra and on travel baseball teams and later his school team as well. No bottle for this baby, not one filled with fresh warm breast milk, no, he would cry and wait for the real thing! He was handsome, beyond smart, athletic, a musician and stubborn. We knew when at 6 weeks old he held out for nursing for 8 hours. My son Maxwell was an old kind soul in a child’s body. A gathering for family and friends will be held at a later date. Please know that Seth’s family deeply appreciates whatever friendship and love you brought to his life. If you wish to acknowledge Seth in some way beyond your good thoughts, we encourage donations to The Turning Point Center, or Spectrum Youth and Family Services,. The parents that have lost a child to this epidemic have a bond like no other. Friends of Nan would like to especially thank the local Families Coping with Addiction Group (FCA) for taking such great care and for giving enormous, loving support to Seth’s Mom, Nan during these past few years. The outpouring of love and support our families have received is beyond overwhelming. He was recently predeceased by his oldest friend, Mike Loyer. He also leaves behind his aunt & uncle, Sandra and Duffy Sinclair, their children Ashley, Jessie & Cassie and dear friends Lilly, Vittorio and Amber. Michaels, MD who all loved him so deeply. He leaves behind his mother, Nancy Towle of South Burlington, his father, Richard Schneehagen of Oahu, Hawaii, his brother, Will Desautels of Waldorf, Maryland and his other mother Kathie Desautels of St. Seth was born on his Dad’s birthday, June 20, 1990. those eyes will be deeply, deeply missed by everyone. Seth had a smile and a laugh that endeared all that had the pleasure of his company. He was a man with a wide variety of interests, a love of both precision and chaos and eclectic interests including music, art, the stock market, fashion, skiing and biking. Seth was known for his goofy, animated, unrivaled sense of humor and quick wit. His father Richard mourns his loss as he wished nothing but the best for his son. She did everything humanly possible to support him, be open and honest with him, and maintained a strong mother-son relationship with him. Through it all, Seth knew how fortunate he was to have his Mom’s unwavering love. He knew how much his life could change if he could just get a handle on it. Eventually the battle was beyond his control and it took his life. With a few more tries at sobriety, Seth continued to use the drugs to numb his internal pain.
Unfortunately, the demons resurfaced, and Seth was not able to fight them any longer. Seth loved California and created a new sober life and started a job he loved. Seth was born on Jin Burlington, Vermont where he grew up and lived until 2015 when he decided to seek help and enrolled himself in a California treatment center. While we knew his addiction may some day take him from us, we know that he is now in a lighter place. Richard Lee “Seth” Towle Schneehagen III died on Wednesday, February 24 following a long battle with mental health and addiction.
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