William Edward Schmidt
September 7, 1920 ~ January 26, 2017
William Edward Schmidt (Age 96)
Died on Thursday, January 26, 2017, in Fairfax, VA. William E. Schmidt was born September 7, 1920 in Pittsburgh, PA, the only child of Conrad Schmidt and Minnie Edgar. The family moved to Takoma Park, MD, where he grew up, attending local schools, including Montgomery Blair High School.
He entered George Washington University in 1939, served in the Army during WWII, and earned a doctoral degree in chemistry at Princeton University. He returned to GWU, joining the chemistry faculty in 1953, and was involved in teaching analytical chemistry and was active in electrochemical research for over half a century. He received the distinction of Professor Emeritus of Chemistry in 1991. He also served continuously as Secretary of the American Chemical Society Committee on Analytical Reagents for 40 years.
He met his beloved wife Dorothy Cox of Greensboro, NC, while she was working in Washington, DC for the War Department in the Military Cryptanalytic Branch. A coincidental connection was that Dorothy resided at 2004 G St, NW, now part of the GWU campus. They were married 50 years before her death in 1997, residing in Silver Spring.
An avid hiker, he led camping trips and served as scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 97 in Silver Spring, MD from 1979-1988, after which he was active in the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. A further lifelong interest was in classical music, and he attended area performances of chamber, vocal, and symphonic music, as well as opera. His exploration of ethics and religion led to his interest in Unitarianism, particularly admiring the sermons of A. Powell Davies at All Souls' Church in Washington, DC, and helped found the Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church.
He is mourned by his children, Judy Sharp of Silver Spring, MD, Martha Ong (Philip) of Vienna, VA, Connie Carpel (Bruce) of Fairfax, VA, Donna Green (Tom) of Richmond, VA, and Joel Schmidt (Jill) of Carlsbad, CA, 8 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Interment private. Donations may be made to the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, www.patc.net.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Died on Thursday, January 26, 2017, in Fairfax, VA. William E. Schmidt was born September 7, 1920 in Pittsburgh, PA, the only child of Conrad Schmidt and Minnie Edgar. The family moved to Takoma Park, MD, where he grew up, attending local schools, including Montgomery Blair High School.
He entered George Washington University in 1939, served in the Army during WWII, and earned a doctoral degree in chemistry at Princeton University. He returned to GWU, joining the chemistry faculty in 1953, and was involved in teaching analytical chemistry and was active in electrochemical research for over half a century. He received the distinction of Professor Emeritus of Chemistry in 1991. He also served continuously as Secretary of the American Chemical Society Committee on Analytical Reagents for 40 years.
He met his beloved wife Dorothy Cox of Greensboro, NC, while she was working in Washington, DC for the War Department in the Military Cryptanalytic Branch. A coincidental connection was that Dorothy resided at 2004 G St, NW, now part of the GWU campus. They were married 50 years before her death in 1997, residing in Silver Spring.
An avid hiker, he led camping trips and served as scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 97 in Silver Spring, MD from 1979-1988, after which he was active in the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. A further lifelong interest was in classical music, and he attended area performances of chamber, vocal, and symphonic music, as well as opera. His exploration of ethics and religion led to his interest in Unitarianism, particularly admiring the sermons of A. Powell Davies at All Souls' Church in Washington, DC, and helped found the Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church.
He is mourned by his children, Judy Sharp of Silver Spring, MD, Martha Ong (Philip) of Vienna, VA, Connie Carpel (Bruce) of Fairfax, VA, Donna Green (Tom) of Richmond, VA, and Joel Schmidt (Jill) of Carlsbad, CA, 8 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Interment private. Donations may be made to the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, www.patc.net.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Martha and Phil, We are so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Our deepest condolences. The Less Family
Dr Schmidt was not only my scoutmaster when I became an Eagle Scout, he was the father of a very close friend. He was an intelligent and kind man who served as a “dad” to many. One can never fully know the measure of influence they have on another’s life but one thing is certain, Dr Schmidt’s influence was vast on a body of souls too numerous to count. His life was full as evidenced by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Those of us who were touched by him have been and will continue to be the richer for it. Rest easy sir until we meet on the trail once more. My deepest sympathies to you all.
To Judy, Connie, Martha, Donna, and Joel — We find this an occasion to honor the wonderful family who lived across the street (Dale Drive) from 1968 to 1973. You were all a wonderful inspiration to us and will live on in Schwieters family lore. Your father was a quiet force for truth and justice. May his legacy endure in these confused times!
Connie and Bruce, So sorry about your dear father. You were so lucky to have him around for so long. He was a one of a kind and we’ll all miss him.