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Alfred Allan Schmid
Bath
Alfred Allan Schmid, 12 March 1935-5 April 2017. Born on a farm near Dawson, Nebraska, to Alfred Edward and Florence (Beutler) Schmid. B.Sc. University of Nebraska, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin. University Distinguished Professor Michigan State University where he taught for 47 years. Husband of Alice Bryam Todd (1934-1984) and Kay Ann (McDevitt) Carroll. Father of John (Diane Eddy) Schmid and Elizabeth (Burnham) Fox. Stepfather of Charles (Cindy Moore) Carroll, James (Margaret Selasky) Carroll, Thomas (Susan Hibbins) Carroll, Patrick Carroll, Daniel (Betsy Bruner) Carroll; 11 grandchildren, Emily Durkin, Jordan (Amanda Stokes) Durkin, Lindsay (William) Peters, Michael Carroll, Reid Carroll, Owen Carroll, Ian Carroll, Cameron Carroll, Annie Carroll, Patrick Carroll, and Sarah Schmid; 4 great-grandchildren, Amaya Guyton, Blaine Durkin, Liam Peters, and Luca Peters; and many extended family members.
Alfred was the author of several academic books and a historical novel, 'The Quest for Land and Fortune'.
He was an incurable, inveterate romantic who loved fiercely. Collected cookbooks and could bake a French baguette; had a library of over 1,000 non-academic books; wrote poetry, travel memoirs (17 bound volumes), scholarly books translated into Chinese, Italian, and Indonesian. Visited Machu Pichu, Etosha, the Great Wall, Mont Saint-Michael, the Alhambra, Teotihuacan and the Pyramids; worked briefly in Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe. With his travel buddy Kay, rode the great trains of Europe including the TGV and ICE; made a grand tour from Rotterdam, Paris, Berlin, Krakow, Budapest, Wein, Innsbruck, and Bern; made a bus trip to the American National Parks in Arizona, Utah, and Wyoming.
He was a sculptor, and had an extensive art collection with Kay; researched genealogy, documenting 7,000 names; owned a farm where he was born; had a sense of style in clothes and household furnishing; drove his 944 at the Porsche auto-cross school; took classes in golf, tennis, bowling, archery; wrote an historical novel plus historical articles; sang in weddings, a university Glee Club, and a rendition of Ole Man River that surprised the heck out of his grandchildren.
Lived for various periods in Dublin, Madrid, London, Cambridge, Bath, plus sabbatical leave in Bloomington, Boston, Tucson, and Berkeley; rode a pony to a one-room country grade school; saw every place in the DC guidebook while living there for a year on two occasions; visited the great art museums of the world - London's National, Prado, Louvre, Rijksmuseum; enjoyed some of the great thespians of our time; singers; musicians; dance companies; was a collector of antiques and a few others things.
In short, a man of broad tastes and interests. Some say you are what you eat, he said "you are who you love". Some say no, but Alfred said "yes".
A Celebration of Alfred's Life will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 12pm at Eagle Eye Country Club, 15500 Chandler Rd., Bath, MI, with visiting one hour prior.
The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Chapel. Online condolences may be expressed at www.greastlansing.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by his family.
I had the opportunity to meet 'Al' this morning by way of this obituary. All my pleasure. Thank you for taking time to share this with the rest of us. It is most unfortunate the cloning capability doesn't exist. I work at Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and I make updates to member profiles. I learn a lot about people and really good people, fascinating, self-less, interesting, quirky and more ... here. Thank you all again.
Sharon Thomas
June 19, 2018
Kay, you are the point person for many memories that your husband generated and this is no suprise to you. I was a gradute student 1971-1975 and was blessed to meet his Socratic way of teching where he just kept asking questions to his students requiring further penetration on the topic of discussion. For graduate students looking for the "answer" this could be quite challenging. As Bill Ward mentioned in his memory, Al would sit with the student in silence allowing himself and the student, and anyone else who was in the room to "think". This could be uncomfortable until you learned that silence was the path to deeper knowledge. Al had integrity and a commitment to his students. I only wish that my path could have crossed his path once I left MSU. Thanks for listening Kay.
Bill Sinclair, Springfield, Virginia
Bill Sinclair
January 1, 2018
To each one of you, many thanks for your words of remembrance regarding our dear Al. We have been consoled many times over by your contributions. As we must, we are carrying onmuch joy mixed with moments of sadness. Blessings to you this holiday season.
Kay Schmid
December 24, 2017
I count myself among the lucky few. I was privileged to attended Dr. Schmid's last class at MSU and what I learned from him about how to think about the world comes back to me often. In fact, this morning Al was on my mind as I heard a petition from NPR for a year-end donation. I thought: "I have been free-riding on this thing for too long! It's time I grow up and donate already!" So it was with a heavy heart this morning that instead of finding his Blog, my Google search returned his obituary. I was hoping to say thanks, again, for the small but meaningful impact you've had on my life, Dr. Schmid. Sincerely, thanks.
Hunter Nielson
Student
December 21, 2017
For a time I feared the pensive pause, the stare, the intellect behind each. Later I admired and sought out the wisdom, the wit that also was there. Eventually I grew to love them all, as well the man who possessed that unique combination of a tough and rigorous intellect constrained by a soul that was gentle and loving. I was honored to be one of his PhD students. That led to a fantastic career filled with opportunities that even had our lives intersecting again in Dublin at one point. His family should hear once again what a magnificent scholar and human being this man was and how many of our lives he changed. Bill Ward (MSU PhD 1972)
William Ward
July 3, 2017
Dear Kay and family,
It was just this week that I learned of Al's death. I will think of it as the people of Botswana do, Al has become "late." I also know that one's immortality is substantially what others remember of him. I will never forget what he has shown me, taught me, and mentored in me. Please accept my sympathy for you very personal loss - know that I share some of that loss.
Sincerely,
George McDowell
June 22, 2017
I learned of Dr. Schmid's passing today - being away from Michigan so long means it takes a little longer for the news to get to you. Dr. Schmid - Al - what a wonderful mentor, a wonderful teacher and thinker and friend.
I was inspired as a Ph.D. student by my interactions with Al Schmid and Jim Shaffer in AEC 810...I learned so much in such a profound way that these two shaped my way of thinking...to this day. Al Schmid was the kindest, most wonderful teacher and human being and we have lost one of the greats.
Paul Strasberg
June 11, 2017
Dear Kay, Mary and I were very sorry to hear of Al's passing away. We both greatly enjoyed the times we spent with Al and you. Al was also very kind to me and supportive when I first joined the department, long ago in 1979. He invited me to join his regular discussion group with other faculty members, including Glenn Johnson and Jim Shaffer. That not only made me feel welcome but provided a welcome intellectual challenge! We will remember Al very fondly, and wish you and the rest of the family the best as you adjust to his passing. With Love, Eric and Mary Crawford.
Eric Crawford
May 13, 2017
Dear Kay and family, Maxine and I are very sorry for your loss. While Al and I did not work closely professionally, I did enjoy his association. Way back in the 1960s, he was a member with me in a barbershop quartet. We actually performed at department parties. He had a very good voice. The history he wrote in retirement impressed me very much.
Jake Ferris
May 12, 2017
Dear Kay and family,
I had the honor and pleasure of knowing Al during my 25+ years at MSU. In fact, when I was considering moving to MSU from Kentucky, the institutionalist group, certainly including Al, was one of the main reasons for my move. Over the years, I got to know him as one of the most thoughtful, caring people I have ever met. His writings inspired and continue to inspire me. I counted him as good friend. I know that I will miss him and I am sure that you will as well. In his quiet, insightful way he brightened the world of those around him.
Wishing you all the best,
Larry
Lawrence Busch
May 12, 2017
Dear Kay,
We are deeply saddened to hear of Al's passing, and extend our heartfelt condolences to you and your wonderful family. We have always treasured our memories of house-sitting and living in "Chateau Schmid" while we were graduate students and you were in England. You were the only one who saw us sneak off from the Department's graduate student welcome reception when Patricia first arrived (we were off to our first movie date!). Al liked to tell me that we forever improved his impression of the Kellogg Center, where he couldn't help but recall our wedding reception every time he went there - he said he would just smile to himself each time a walked in the room. We all have our memories...these are a few mine. God's Peace!
James and Patricia Sterns
May 11, 2017
My sincere condolences to Allan's family and to his many students and colleagues at Michigan State University. I had the privilege of being his student at MSU (1967-69) and his academic colleague (1994-98) in the same department. I learned from Allan to value policy making and institutions and I benefitted professionally from his astute questionning and processing of ideas. As his colleague he answered many questions about teaching and research and together we shared ideas for academic diversity and inclusion in our programs.
He cared for people from all walks of life. He advanced my thinking about the role of policy in decision-making. I am happy to call him my friend.
Refugio Rochin
May 9, 2017
Al made a lasting contribution to federal regulatory policy; it was he who came up with the idea of conducting benefit-cost analysis of regulations. This insight lead to centralized regulatory review of regulations by the White House Office of Management and Budget. Al was a colleague who will never be forgotten.
Jim Tozzi
May 6, 2017
Kay and family, I am so sorry for your loss. It took me awhile to process that Al was gone having just recently had lunch with Kay and Al. I will remember him as a wonderful man who touched so many students and colleagues like myself with his wisdom. We will continue to work to maintain Al's legacy remains alive here at MSU.
Eric Scorsone
Coworker
April 29, 2017
Kay, I am so sorry for your loss, it took awhile for me to process that Al was gone after seeing you both so recently. I have really enjoyed spending time with the two of you in the last few years. Such a wonderful man and great mentor and teacher and I know he touched so many peoples lives, a real inspiration for all of us. For my part, I will keep working to keep Al's legacy alive here at MSU.
Eric Scorsone
Coworker
April 25, 2017
Kay: Arleen and I were deeply saddened to learn of Al's passing. In the few times we had a chance to talk, I found him a very down to earth person, truly interested in whatever was being discussed. A very learned man, yet humble and caring for all around him. The comments of his former students, friends and all who knew him, say a great deal about the man and his life here on earth. May he rest in peace.
Robert Spalding
April 18, 2017
Kay I am so sorry for your loss of such a delightful and loving partner. Patricia Bonnard said so eloquently what it was like to be a student of Al's. Al taught me so much about economics, but more importantly he taught me about being a kind and generous human being. He was patient and kind with a student (me) who reached illogical conclusions. Yet he always left me with the confidence that I was capable of doing what I had set out to learn. He gave me some advice on how to defend and I still pass that advice along to my students. Much of what I have achieved as a professional and as a human being is due to Al. Judy Stallmann (Columbia, MO)
Judy Stallmann
April 16, 2017
So many wonderful memories of Al at MSU. He was a gentle and wonderful man. He was so kind, intelligent and well versed in the world. He will be truly missed. My condolences to his family at this time. Rose Lilly
Rose Lilly
April 14, 2017
Al was a dear friend. I treasure the time we shared together discussing things that mattered most--the importance of relationships and friends and how to contribute to the world we live in.
Lindon Robison
Lindon Robison
April 13, 2017
I'm sorry to hear of Al Schmid's passing. He was the professor who taught me the most extraordinary things about my ordinary discipline. As my dissertation advisor, he had deep intellectual interest; yet, was quite adamant that the process be mine and "fun." He was a remarkable man and scholar.
Patricia Bonnard
April 12, 2017
Dear, dear Kay,
Jim and I were so sad to hear that you have lost your beloved Al. Yet his memory lives on in all of our hearts, a kind, gentle, erudite, creative, adventurous, fun-loving scholar and family man of many talents. A true Renaissance man! You had an extraordinary life together and you will continually be blessed as he watches over you. Jim and Linda Bingen
April 12, 2017
I am sure it will come as no surprise to any of you when I tell you Al wrote his own obituary. With a bit of editing from daughter, Lib, and me. ;-)
Kay
Kay Schmid
April 11, 2017
Bob and I were sorry to hear about the death of Al Schmid. He was a rare individual who-with quiet effectiveness--could lead a person to new perspectives and thoughts. Anyone who cared to could learn much from a conversation with Al. He was a giant in the field of institutional economics and how institutions influenced human behavior. He will be missed. Our condolences to Kay and the family.
Sandra and Bob Batie
April 11, 2017
This is sad news indeed. Al and Alice welcomed us warmly to East Lansing and to MSU in the summer of 1970. We were with them socially many many times and he was a mentor throughout my 17 years on the Ag Econ faculty. He was a true intellectual, a humanist and a caring person. We continued our relationship with Al and wonderful Kay. Al always had the penetrating question, and sat quietly while you struggled for an answer..
Larry Libby
April 11, 2017
I am sad to hear of the passing of Dr. Schmid. I took his Institutional Economics course in the 1980s and learned a lot from it. Dr. Schmid was a wonderful teacher and human being, challenging our preconceived notions and gently pushing us to look at problems from a different perspective. He encouraged discussion and debate about thorny problems in economics that didn't necessarily have right or wrong answers. My sincere condolences to his family, but know that he touched many lives for the better.
Nick Minot
April 11, 2017
The world has lost an extraordinary institutional economist, a wonderful educator, a Renaissance man and a gentle soul. Tamara and I extend our deepest sympathies to Kay and the family. Professor Schmid is an inspiration. I opened his book in 1982 and the class discussed the property rights transaction depicted in the painting (Western cattle drive). From that moment, my world changed. His worldview gave voice and context to what was missing from other texts. I think about him every day. I will remain an imperfect proselytizer of a Schmidian perspective.
He was so kind and patient in recent years, willing to share an occasional lunch with a former student. Thank you Al.
Nathaniel Treadway
April 10, 2017
Dear friends,
Your words are a source of comfort to our children and me.
Thank you and blessings upon you.
Kay Ann McDevitt Carroll Schmid
April 10, 2017
How do you keep learning after you get a PhD? a prospective graduate student asked last week. Colleagues who are circumspect and insightful have been the answer for me. None more so than Al, the man who opened my eyes to the meaning of economic institution. I will miss that gentle and worldly man very much.
Scott Swinton
April 10, 2017
It saddens me to learn of Dr. Schmid's passing and regret the failed opportunities I had to work with him. Every time I ran into him across campus, he was an instant reminder of how actual markets are a function of social institutions. I will miss seeing this gentle giant of institutional economic thought.
Rene Rosenbaum
April 10, 2017
Thinking about you and your family.
Hazel and Lynn Peltier
April 10, 2017
Libby and family, I am sorry to hear of your father's passing. Our prayers are with you.
Jamey and Cindi Myers
April 10, 2017
I am very saddened to hear of Al's passing. Dr. Schmid was not only brilliant, but kind, generous and humble. I took a class with me when at MSU and it was one of the best I took at MSU. He showed how externalities are ubiquitous, and who gains and who loses are important questions to ask in any situation. I also think of his style of teaching when teaching myself - especially his one-page "what is the point" notes that he brought to every class. He has enormous influence on my own understanding of the world, and I am sure he shaped and influenced so many students in so many ways. His legacy will live on at MSU and beyond. He will be missed !!
Neera Singh
April 9, 2017
Al was an intellectual giant, admired by his colleagues near and far for his scholarly contributions. In personal interaction and with his students Al was patient, thoughtful, his speech often involving a silence while he thought-out and crafted a careful and usually brilliant response.
But what we loved most about Al was his artistic bent. He wrote great poetry and family history and collected and loved art of many different kinds. He was a renaissance person. He had the perfect partner in Kay, who shared and amplified his interests.
Spud Morrison, an MSU colleague of Al.
Denton and Bonnie Morrison
April 9, 2017
Jim, Margaret & family, please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss.
Don Sokoloski
April 9, 2017
One was never the same after talking with Al. A gentle giant in the field of institutional economics, a mentor, colleague and friend, who taught others how to think critically and ask the right question. He always had time to for his students and friends, with his very diverse interests, the discussions were stimulating. He left the world a better place and his legacy will live on in all those who had the opportunity to know him. Our sincere sympathy to Kay and family.
Lynn and Mary Harvey
April 9, 2017
Always my North Star. Always.
I'll keep setting my compass by him.
Brady Deaton
Former Student, Fast Friend, Admirer and Fellow Dreamer
Brady Deaton
April 8, 2017
It is really surprised that I heared the sorrow news. He taught me whose costs and whose benefits, and each time when I paid a visit to MSU, he invited me to have a nice talk. I translated his book--Institutional and Behaviour Economics (Conflict and Cooperation) from English into Chinese, 8000 copies were sold and new version with 5000 copies will be released soon in China.
Can Liu
China National Forestry Economics and Development Research Center, Beijing, China
Can Liu
April 8, 2017
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Can Liu
April 8, 2017
He taught me to think about ubiquitous interdependencies, the role of institutions, property rights and distributional outcomes in an economy. He taught me that asking the right question is, perhaps, more important than the answer. He was a great teacher and mentor who always had time for deep conversations and challenged students to think critically. And above all of this, he was a great friend and an incredible human being with as much passion for institutional economics, as art, literature, history and life! Sympathy and thoughts to Kay and the family.
Sathya Gopalakrishnan
April 7, 2017
Al was both an intellectual giant and a wonderful friend. Nobody who talked with him about economics or politics or art or (fill in the black) ended up thinking about the issues in the way they did before that conversation. He had insight and passion that few possess, and those of us who knew him really felt lucky to have done so. He will truly be missed, but his influence will be felt for a very long time to come. Our deepest sympathy to Kay and all of Al's family. John Staatz and Barb Berti
April 7, 2017
The passing of Al is a great loss. He stood out as a scholar and innovator who put MSU on the map in institutional economics. His family will hopefully but partly take solace in the fact that he lived a life of deep fulfillment and service. Adios, Al. May your soul Rest In Peace.
Soji Adelaja
April 7, 2017
I came to MSU in 1990 and, although I am a sociologist, one of the reasons for coming was Al Schmid. Al was a soft-spoken giant in his field, always ready with a thoughtful answer to questions. Al was always ready to venture far beyond his education in economics, drawing on that knowledge to improve our understanding of institutions. It was my privilege to know him. He will be long remembered by his relatives, students, colleagues and friends.
Lawrence Busch
April 7, 2017
Professor Schmid was a wonderful person
I enjoyed working with him in the Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics Department at MSU. I am so sorry to hear of his passing, all my sympathy to his family
Debbie Conway
April 7, 2017
Absolutely amazing, brilliant man. His legacy will live on at MSU, influencing years of incoming students to come.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
-a current student in AFRE
Sarah Klammer
April 7, 2017
I'm very sorry to learn of Al's passing. Al was the first professor from whom I took an Ag Econ class and I ultimately took everything that he offered. He had a different perspective than most on just about every economic question. He transitioned from professor to colleague after helping me land my first position at the University of Minnesota. Everyone is unique, but Al was uniquely unique! I was very happy to help seed the A. Allan Schmid Endowed Fellowship after he retired to help carry on his traditions.
Scott Loveridge
April 7, 2017
It was my privilege to take a course from Dr. Schmid in the 1980s during my Ph. D. program at MSU in Forestry. He was an outstanding teacher, patient and perceptive. He was also a kind person. I finished one side of a test and walked out, turning in my work and thinking I was done. As I sat outside reflecting on how "well" I had done on the test, the second student to finish (top student in the class) came out and commented how I must have really done well on that question on the back. I rushed back in and there was Dr. Schmid with my test in his hand, wondering why I had skipped the back page. I apologized for my error and he let me finish the exam. Needless to say, I was never the first person out of one of his exams again. We will miss a great professor and person. Chuck Nelson
April 7, 2017
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