DANIEL SCHMIDT

March 26, 1945 - Dec. 2, 2009
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, UK SOUTH BEND - Dan Schmidt was born March 26, 1945, to Lawrence and Bessie Schmidt in South Bend, IN. They are now deceased.

Dan graduated from Washington Clay High School in l963 and went on to Purdue University, achieving a BA in Political Science in l967. While in attendance, he was a member of the freshman baseball team, was match play golf champion on the golf team, and a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Upon graduation, Dan went to Navy Officer Candidate School, was commissioned an Ensign and from January l968 to 1970 served on board the USS Saint Paul. The 1200-man ship patrolled the Pacific and was the most active gunship in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for Outstanding Service during the 1970 cruise.

On leaving the Navy, Dan lived in San Francisco and joined the Xerox Corporation as a sales representative, soon achieving three national sales awards. In 1977 he went to Management Science America and in l980 moved to England as managing director and started up the UK subsidiary. With the company, Dan progressed from salesman to Executive Vice President International. His results were reflected in subsequent appointments with other companies and overall his responsibilities covered the rest of the world outside of the United States.

During all the extensive work and travel he managed to bring up his four children, Keri, Ryan, Alexis and David, from his first marriage. He adored his children and they were always important to him during his life. He continued to take part in and loved multiple sports. He cycled and rode horses. He rode with the Vale of Aylesbury hunt and had his own horses. As a competent rider he was fearless and took on the highest hedges, never fearing what was on the other side. He was passionate about skiing and tennis.

As a representative of his tennis club his opponent was Sue, who he later married at Windsor in 1998. From the time they met they shared in many things, skiiing, tennis, golf, enjoying their garden and being together with their children. In 2000 he was struggling with words and the ability to remember. Soon an MRI scan discovered that he was suffering from a progressive neurological disorder. Eventually Dan's condition deteriorated to a level that his wife Sue needed several caregivers to live with them until the time he needed more specialized care. In May 2006 he entered the Chalfont Nursing Home for more specialized care along with his daily care from Sue and their special caregiver, Petra from Yugoslavia, who cared for him all during his illness at home and also at the Chalfont home. It was there that his suffering ended on Dec. 2, 2009.

His wife Sue Schmidt survives him, and his sister, Rae Anne Schmidt Grounds (Jim) of Indianapolis, IN, and his children.

Anyone who knew Dan knew his zest for life, his enthusiasm, his loyalty to others, his unselfishness and his positive attitude through his illness. He was a true gentleman. Donations may be made to Queen Square Brain Bank For Neurological Disorders (checks payable to University College London, specifying "Donation for Research"), c/o Arnolds Funeral Service, 38 Oak End Way, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, UK SL971Q.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Dec. 22, 2009

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