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Geoffrey Waldschmidt Obituary
Geoffrey, known to his loved ones as Jeb, was a talented musician and a brilliant writer. He played music all his life and spent years with local bands, including JumpStart.
He served as a writer, producer, and CEO at Waldschmidt, Waldschmidt & Associates, where he won several Addy awards for his work and wrote many memorable jingles, including DeHaven Chevrolet, Hires Auto Parts, and Atz Ice Cream. He worked as a writer with Lincoln, serving on the art acquisitions committee. Jeb was Creative Director with WaterFurnace, Intl. and taught writing at IPFW, IIT, and the University of St. Francis.
He was an amateur pilot and spent many Sunday afternoons flying his Grumman. He was passionate about the outdoors, memes, motorcycles, art, science, and technology.
He leaves behind his daughter, Amelia A Waldschmidt (Nicholas Martinez); son, Ezekiel C Waldschmidt (Ashley V Navilliat); grandchildren, Henry and George Waldschmidt; sisters, Robin Waldschmidt Brennan-Perez (Micheal) and Kim Waldschmidt (Tom Tempel); as well as many nephews and nieces, and former wife and mother of his children, Diana F. Cole.
Geoffrey was preceded in death by his parents, George and JoElla (Yakey) Waldschmidt.
A private memorial will be held at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Geoffrey Waldschmidt
Toni Montgomery
September 22, 2024
I´m so sorry to hear about the death of my cousin.
Tom Waldschmidt family
June 19, 2024
So sorry to hear of Jen's passing. I used to maintain the Grumman years ago for his dad.
Deborah Yoder
June 16, 2024
I'm so very sorry for your loss.
Caroline (Yakey) Bose
June 16, 2024
May Jeb rest in peace.
Libby Ehinger
June 16, 2024
I am so sorry for everyone but glad his suffering is over. He was one of my late husbands best friend. I always enjoyed his quick wit and animated talks. I could listen to him and my ex talk for hours. I loved the airplane rides as well. He is up with his loved ones who passed before him as well as several of his good friends.He will be missed for sure.
Brenda Black
June 16, 2024
I´m heartbroken, but glad his fight is over. I´ve known Jeb for 56 years and kept in touch sporadically through most of them. He showed up for me at the worst time of my life with two other old friends, and I will never forget it. I loved writing with Jeb. We shared story lines until the end. He had a huge heart and made no excuses for man´s failures. Jeb had a quiet way about him of making us look at ourselves, our motives and our priorities. Many times he´d add a hugely comic spin to his lessons. Sometimes we got brilliant sarcasm. I will miss him for a very long time. He was one of my very favorites.
Barb Simmons Kelley
June 16, 2024
I'm sorry to hear of Jeb's passing. I'm pretty sure I remember carpooling to swim practice at Pocahontas, with Robin and Kim. May God comfort and encourage you all with special memories in the days ahead. Losing a brother is tough, as I found out last July.
Blessings,
Barb Kelley
Marsha McCroskey
June 16, 2024
Oh no, so sorry to hear of Jeb's passing! We lived catty-corner across the street from the Waldschmidts, You guys were my favorite family, In lived you more than my own. All of us loved you! Jeb was funny and witty, Robin and I swam together, Kim was like my little sister. What fun times we had! And I'll never forget your dad chasing down the street after the errant "Champ", your pet Beagle that lived to escape! I haven't seen Jeb in many years, but followed him and the family in Facebook often
You will be missed Jeb, rest in peace now, and many blessings to Robin , Kim & families. Love, Marsha (McCroskey)!
Keith Hire
June 15, 2024
I first met Jeb in the late 60's before I had even moved to Fort Wayne. He and some friends had a recording company in the Anthony Wayne bank building called Evelyn Cleanbean records, where I came to audition. He was also in an outstanding folk group at the time called the Just Folk Trio. We were a couple of music loving hippys and became fast friends. Jeb had a magnetic personality, so bright and talented and witty - an absolute original. On top of all this, people liked him, everybody liked Jeb.
We kept in touch, and then played together in Jumpstart and a half-dozen other bands in the 80's and 90's. Jeb was an absolute pro at music, at home on stage and could play several instruments. He was an absolute joy to sing harmony with and could spontaneously improvise head arrangements for the horns. Hell of a songwriter, too.
I can remember zooming down the highway in his sports car looking for gigs, and flying with him in his Grumman. He also collected motorcycles - Jeb loved to go fast.
There are many incredible memories - I remember playing Freimann Square to a crowd of 15,000. I remember that he hung one of my wife Sherry's artworks on his office wall at the agency. I will always treasure the fact that I was best man when he married Diana.
Somewhere along the way we drifted apart and didn't see each other much, but back when we were in the thick of it making music together, we were like brothers from different mothers. We shared enough good times together to last ten lifetimes.
I knew Jeb's health was failing, but it still was unreal to me when I heard the news. I guess we think of our old friends as being eternal. Sadly, no.
I hope you have found peace, Jeb, and some bright day we will get to jam again.
Jane Harding
June 15, 2024
Jeb was a lovely guy. I will miss him.
Love,
Jane
Craig Harding
June 15, 2024
I met Jeb in 9th grade summer school, where the intellectually gifted preferred to spend their warm weather hiatus. We shared a good deal of "hang out" time afterward as we separately left and came back to town in a late 60s version of "On The Road".
Jeb and I worked at a few of the same low-pay, young guy jobs early on and some years later, we crafted advertising together for local retailers.
We played music together periodically and mostly found each other to be endlessly amusing.
Thanks for being a pal, Jeb. I´ll miss you.
Hunter Silides
June 15, 2024
I´m sorry Diana!
Brook Smith
June 15, 2024
Jeb and I were pals in high school, but drifted apart thereafter. I will always remember his intellect, wit, and tenacity! I regret not having had an opportunity to speak with him in recent years.
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