Page 12 University Dally Kansan, August 20, 1981 WENDY NUGENT/Kansan Staff WENDY NUGENT/Kansan Stift Working behind Lindley Hall, construction workers Gail Sage, left, and Ken Doud, right, load a crane while K.L. Beach, center, operates the controls. 'Tan Man' a familiar sight to students on KU's campus By JILL M. YATES Staff Reporter Perched on the cement bench, unshaven and dressed only in a pair of loose, ragged shorts, he whiles away the hours of the day. His small frame, dark and splotchy from too much time spent in the burning sun, crouches down on the bench. He fidgets out of nervousness, or perhaps out of boredom, and he is seemingly obvious to the endless flow of students walking to and from Wescoe Hall. AN OLD, DELAPIDATED bike is parked nearby, with a pair of worn-out leather shoes stuffed with socks set underneath. KU students from past years stream by him without changing expression. He is merely a part of the scenery. New students, unfamiliar with the surroundings, stare curiously at the small man and whisper. John Schneider said he was proud to be the "Tan Man." Schneider acquired the name "Tan Man," from his regular sunbathing in front of Wescoe Hall. But he is proud of his popularity, which gives him a place among KU students, even if it is a recognition born out of oddity. Schneider, 38, speaks rarely, but his He sits for hours soaking up the rays, whether it is summer or winter. He said he just liked the sun. voice is gentle and has an obvious Midwestern accent. SCHNEIDER, ORIGINALLY from Wichita, has lived in Lawrence for 14 years. He said he had three younger brothers and one younger sister in Wichita. Schneider went to high school in Augusta but has never attended college, although he said he had considered it. "I don't really know what I'd study, I never decided." Schneider said. Students here agreed that the Tan Man does not bother anyone. Some who have talked with him say he is friendly and will talk back to them. Otherwise, he just stood and stared off into space, they said. "When I ride my bike, I meet a lot of people," Schneider said. "The people on the Hill are friendly, but the others in the area are getting more and more unfriendly." Schneider, said he, remembered the apple movement," but took no part in it. ALTHOUGH HE SPENDS a great deal of time just sitting in the sun, Schneider has ambitions of going to California some day. Schneider said he would like to live in the southern part of the desert, such as Death Valley, because he said people were nicer there. 'The present government is communist, in a way," Schneider said. "I"2 want such freedom as the government claims. He said he believed the quality of human beings was deteriorating and attributed this to the spread of communism. But for Schneider, this poses no great threat. "I don't consider this my home, be aide, I consider heaven here," Schneider said he felt he was a religious man. He said he attended a Catholic church and had strong belief in the Bible. DURING THE EVENINGS, after the sun has gone down, Schneider works at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He works in the environmental urgency areas, said Steve Miller, supervisee. "John is such a conscientious worker. We never have to worry about whether his work will be done," Miller said. Schneider works by himself, according to Miller, and takes great pride in the work he does. "He is always to work on time and leaves on time. We can always count on John, unlike some employees. I don't know if he got if he sick one day," Miller said. Miller said that everyone at the hospital liked Schneider. "It's good he works here in the evening, though, and that there are no windows here. Otherwise, all he'd want to do is go out in the sun," Miller said. Schneider, who admitted he loved the man, said he did not give up his title of a professor. "I was so ashamed," she "I'tan in the winter, too," he said "I sit behind Robinson Gymnasium in front of the blower. The warm air keeps me from being cold." Taste the High Country Coors Distributed by Lapeka, Inc. 2711 Oregon 843-7000 $1.00 OFF WITH COUPON ALL SALE $1.90 coupon expires 9/15/81 ZIPATONE SALE Reg. $2.90 kansas union bookstores START SHAPING-UP TODAY! main union level 2, satellite shop COUPON 843-4040 Westside Shopping Center 601 Kasold Drive ZIPATONE SALE All Dry Transfer Letters (colors included) DRY TRANSFER LETTERS CALL NOW! For a FREE trial visit and Figure analysis - Newest Fitness Equipment * Tanning Lounges * Sauna * Unlimited Visits * Mastercard/Visa welcome coupon expires 9/15/81 $1.00 off with coupon M-F 8-8, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 1-6 Magic Mirror A shapely reflection of you! The Moffet Beers Band Don't forget about our Friday and Saturday Happy Hours: drinks $1.25 Friday: 5-7pm (free hors d'oeuvres too) and 11pm-12am Saturday: 11pm-12am GAMMONS SNOWMONGS