On January 25, 2008, Houston-based Newfield Exploration’s board room was named after a very special individual, David F. Schaible, who had been the company’s president and COO. Schaible’s wife Tina, and Dave’s son and daughters gathered with company employees and executives to dedicate a plaque in his memory. Schaible passed away on October 15, 2007, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.
The plaque dedication was only part of the company’s commitment to recognize Schaible.
On that day, Newfield chairman, president, and CEO David A. Trice said, “We want to remember Dave, celebrate his life and the impact he had on our company. We’re here today, because we want everyone at Newfield to know what we’ve done as individuals, and what Newfield has done as a company, to contribute to some lasting things that will keep Dave’s name with us all. Much has been done in his name to help in the fight against cancer.”
In addition to his role as president and COO, Schaible served on Newfield’s board of directors since 2002. He joined Newfield at the time of the company’s founding in 1989.
As individuals and friends, Newfield employees quickly donated approximately $60,000 after his death to a special MD Anderson Melanoma Research Fund to help fight cancer. These donations gained greater impact through Newfield’s Matching Gifts Program that matches dollar-for-dollar up to $1,000 to total contributions per participant, per calendar year.
The company decided its foundation, created in 2001 with the mission is to improve the quality of life through support of programs benefiting the medical, environment, cultural arts and community service, also was a way to further Schaible’s memory.
In early 2008, the foundation allocated nearly $500,000 to a variety of philanthropic organizations, with the largest donation of $50,000 going to Houston Hospice as a memorial gift honoring Schaible. This organization helped him during his illness and continues to help others in need. During a ceremony in late March, the organization will rename its board room in memory of him.
Additionally, Newfield announced in January 2008 that it had established the David F. Schaible Petroleum Engineering and Geology Endowment at Marietta College in Ohio with a $250,000 gift in his memory. Dave graduated from Marietta College in 1983.
“One of Dave’s greatest contributions was attracting talented geoscientists and engineers to work in Newfield’s multidiscipline team environment,” said Trice. “People are a precious commodity today and are in short supply in the energy industry.”
The endowment will help prepare students to enter the oil and petroleum industry through enhanced curricular support, field experiences, professional conferences, undergraduate research and career counseling.
“Marietta College appreciates deeply the commitment that Newfield Exploration has made to memorialize David Schaible, a founding member of the Newfield,” said Marietta’s vice president for advancement Lori Lewis. “Like the energy industry, we believe his impact can continue to be meaningful and significant with Marietta College and our aspiring petroleum engineers.”
For that accomplishment, and his distinguished industry career, Marietta College will induct Schaible into its Department Hall of Fame on April 23, 2008.
Schaible knew what a precious commodity people bring to an organization, and he was a friend, mentor, and role model for many.
The plaques at both Newfield and the Houston Hospice share the following quote from Schaible:
“Good things just don’t happen by themselves…they require the commitment of all of us working together.”
Mikaila Adams
Associate Editor – OGFJ
