John Harrington Schmidt

Age 79. Of Greenfield, died November 21 at his home as a result of pulmonary fibrosis. Beloved husband of Ruth Le Mere. Father of Michael J. Schmidt (Ann), Portland, OR; Debbie Cohen (Bobby), Bayside; Patricia Tester (David), Bella Vista, AR; Kathleen Boulden (Steve), Mequon; Peter Schmidt (Hollie), Lexington, MA. Grandfather of Amanda Cohen, New York; Stephanie Cohen, Chicago; Brittney Schmidt, Mequon; Katie Schmidt and Helen Schmidt of Lexington, MA. Stepfather of Jeffrey LeMere (Kathy), Franklin; Susan LeMere, Milwaukee; Phillip LeMere, Mukwonago; and Elise LeMere, Greenfield. Step-grandfather of Kristine LeMere and Margaret LeMere, Franklin. Brother of Steven Schmidt (Tessie) of the Philippines, and Katherine (Tom) Zyskowski of Iron River, MI. Also survived by brother-in-law, George Sepnieski (Doris) of Orlando, FL; nieces, nephews, and dear friends who enriched his life.

John was born in Evansville, IN, graduated as an engineer from the Illinois Institute of Technology and received his MBA from Marquette University. He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve. His varied career included working for Motorola when it was a startup company, securing patents on a jet fighter guidance system and the automatic drains that dishwashers use, and playing a significant role in Harley Davidson's recovery. After retiring from Harley Davidson, he taught math, business and computer courses at UWM and MSOE.

An active member of Mensa, he and his wife, Ruth, were proctors for the organization for many years. He was a gifted photographer who enjoyed traveling all across the U.S. with Ruth in their red sports car. He served on library boards in Greenfield and Two Rivers. He was a member of HERO, the Harley Davidson Retiree Organization, the Milwaukee Statistical Association, and Photo Pictorialists.

Special thanks to Jerry Condil of Oxygen One, VITAS hospice, nurse Janine Voruz, and caregivers Mary Ann Nicholson, Laura Kluka, and Sue Koehn. Always a man of science and learning, John donated his body to the Medical College of Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials in his name to the American Lung Association of Wisconsin, 13100 W. Lisbon Rd. Suite 700, Brookfield WI 53005, the Greenfield Public Library, 7215 W. Coldspring Rd. Greenfield, WI 53220, or the Boston Cure Project, 300 Fifth Av, Waltham, MA 02451. Plans for a Memorial service are pending.

"The Professor graduated

life with honors."