Henry Louis Schmidt, Jr.

Henry Louis Schmidt Jr. died Friday June 10, 2016 at the age 94 years. He was residing at Sisters on Elm in London, Ohio. Henry was born March 17, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Henry and Gertrude Schmidt. He was raised and educated in Grand Rapids attending Ottawa Hills High School where he was active in sports (440 runner, high jumper, cheerleader) clubs, (drama, dance chairman) and numerous on-stage productions. In 1940, as a senior he won the highly coveted Hi-Y-Award for “Best All Around Boy”. He graduated with honors from the University of Michigan with a BSE in chemical engineering in 1944. He was a member and president of Sigma Phi fraternity and earned many academic/professional honors such as Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, Tau Beta Beta Pi, Phi Lambda Upsilon, and Vulcans. In 1948, he completed his MSE in Industrial Engineering at the U of M. He served proudly during WWII in the US Navy as a Lieutenant (j.g.). Upon discharge, he married his hometown sweetheart Margaret “Peg” Gauthier on September 7, 1945 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They were happily married for over 50 years.. Henry was employed by Borden Chemical Company for over 30 years during which time his family moved frequently throughout the Northeast (Bainbridge, NY; Topsfield, MA; Briarcliff Manor, NY; Columbus, Ohio). He ended his career working at the corporate headquarters as the Director of Safety. In 1983, he retired and moved to Bradenton, Florida. Henry is survived by his five children, 2 sons Henry III of Portland, OR and Peter of Walnut Creek, CA; three daughters, Pamela Schmidt-Cavaliero of Stamford, CT, Mary Schmidt of Laguna Beach, CA and Marti Schmidt of London, OH; 2 sisters, Marilyn Reynier of Grand Rapids, MI and Betty Jane Ranney of Greenville, MI; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret “Peg” Schmidt, his second wife Doris Ronke Schmidt and his sister Barbara Remien. Cremation was handled by RUTHERFORD-SHROYER FUNERAL HOME, 1278 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH Memorial donations may be made payable to Sisters on Elm and sent to Pamela Schmidt-Cavaliero, 92 Barmore Drive West, Stamford, CT 06905. To send condolences to the family please visit www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com.

Henry Louis Schmidt, Jr.

March 17, 1922 - June 10, 2016