Edward Schmitt

1925 - 2017

Edward H. Schmitt, former President and Chief Administration Officer of McDonald's Corporation passed away at his home in Aurora, Illinois on Friday, July 7, 2017 with his loving wife, Marie Clare, of 64 years by his side. He was 91. Ed was born on August 26, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois to Anne Kemp Schmitt and Henry P. Schmitt. He graduated from Hyde Park High School. On his 18th birthday he enlisted in the army. He landed on Omaha Beach and fought under General George S. Patton in the 5th Division. He was in active combat service in Normandy, the Battle of Metz, and the Battle of the Bulge. The Fifth Division were the first of the Allied troops to cross the Rhine River on March 7, 1945. In May of 1945 they entered Czechoslovakia and liberated Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp. In service for his country Ed was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, two Bronze Star Medals, two Purple Heard Medals, and the Medal of Metz. After serving in World War II Ed moved to Aurora to manage a farm in Sugar Grove. For the next five years, while farming, he attended and then graduated from DePaul University in Chicago in 1952. On August 23, 1952 he married Marie Clare Collins of Aurora at Holy Angels Catholic Church. Together they raised their two sons, Edward H. Schmitt Jr. and Richard Schmitt in Aurora. In 1964 Ed Schmitt began his career with McDonald's as an executive manager trainee and rose to become Vice Chairman in 1982. In that role he traveled extensively. He oversaw McDonald's global expansion and made sure the operational structure was in place to support the company's continued world wide growth. Throughout his career at McDonalds Ed implemented innovative approaches for service and menu development. Ed once saw a McDonald's owner operator quickly serving soldiers from a nearby U.S. Army base in a drive-thru. He had the foresight to see the tremendous potential of drive-thru service and decided to bring the idea full scale across the system. This helped to establish McDonald's as the leader in drive-thru service. Ed also directed development of the national launch of McDonald's breakfast menu. In 1968 Ed became Vice President of the Chicago Region. That same year he awarded the first African American franchise in Chicago. He went on to award the first Hispanic owner of the McDonald's system in Arizona. He also promoted one of the first women vice presidents of McDonalds. In 1986, Ed left the corporation and became an owner operator with his sons Ed Jr. and Richard. Ed was active in his restaurants and worked behind the front counter serving customers for the next 25 years. Ed believed in giving back to the community he lived in and beyond. In 1974 he was instrumental in getting the first Ronald McDonald House built in Philadelphia and establishing Ronald McDonald House Charities that continues to make a profound impact on families all over the world. Ed was an active citizen of Aurora for over 70 years. He served on the several boards including the Old Second National Bank, Aurora Civic Authority, Paramount Arts Center, Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, and the Provena Medical Center. He was also Chair of the Board of Trustees of Benedictine University in Lisle. Ed also helped Aurora Central Catholic High School build a new school. Ed is survived by his wife Marie Clare, nee Collins; sons Ed Jr. (Mary) of Sugar Grove and Richard (Corinne) of Glen Ellyn; grandchildren Edward III of Chicago, Sarah Fruy (Jason) of Oakland, California, Evan Schmitt of Glen Ellyn, and Alec Schmitt of Glen Ellyn; one great-grandson Hunter Fruy of Oakland, California. He is preceded in death by his parents Anne Kemp Schmitt and Henry P. Schmitt and his brother Robert. Visitation will be 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at The Healy Chapel, 370 Division Drive, Sugar Grove. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM at Holy Angels Roman Catholic Church, Lancaster and Harden Avenues in Aurora. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Aurora. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made in the name of Edward H. Schmitt to Ronald McDonalds House Charities, 26345 Network Place, Chicago, Illinois. 60673. Please call 630-466-1330 for further information.