Lewis M. SCHOTT

SCHOTT, Lewis M.
Lewis M. Schott, a philanthropist, successful businessman and civic leader died January 12, 2017. He was 94 years old. Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, Mr. Schott grew up in Daytona Beach, Florida. He graduated with a degree in the arts and sciences from the University of Florida in 1943. In 1946, he received his law degree with honors from the University of Florida's school of law. Returning to Daytona Beach to practice law, Mr. Schott quickly formed a partnership with James T. Nelson. He later was appointed Municipal City Judge, the youngest judge appointed to serve in Florida. At the age of 27, he was appointed Director of the Florida State Beverage Department and a member of then Governor Fuller Warren's cabinet. He was the youngest member of the Governor's cabinet and the youngest individual to ever head the State's Beverage Department. After three years in Tallahassee, Mr. Schott moved to New York in 1951 where he went to work for Merritt-Chapman & Scott. He became Executive Vice President and a member of the board of directors. At the age of 30 he bought the Shoup Voting Machine Company, one of two voting machine companies in the country. He also served on various public boards, including Chairman and CEO of Automatic Toll Systems. In 1955 he formed his own company, LMS Securities Corp which he headed until his passing. He was featured in the book How to Succeed in Business Before You Are Forty. Mr. Schott remained active throughout his life with the University of Florida. In 1987, he funded the first Eminent Scholar Super Chair in the state of Florida, located at the University Of Florida College Of Medicine. The chair is named in honor of his first wife, the late Marcia Whitney Schott, whom he met in law school. Such a chair has permitted the continued dedicated research and treatment of arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. In addition, he funded several other programs for students at the University and the Law School. He was a Life Member of the University of Florida Foundation Board, its most "Distinguished Alumnus", and a recipient of numerous other honors. With his late first wife, Marcia Whitney, Mr. Schott was active in the field of racing for 25 years. In 1981, their horse, Willow Hour, won the Travers Stakes in Saratoga Springs, New York in a thrilling upset, beating Kentucky Derby winner Pleasant Colony at the wire. In 1990 Mr. Schott moved to Palm Beach, Florida. In 1994 he married the late Mary Rubloff. He served on numerous boards in the Palm Beach area. He was a Founder member of the Kravis Center and served on their board of directors from 1995 through 2007. At the time of his death, he was a Life Trustee member. Mr. Schott served on the board of directors of the Palm Beach Civic Association for more than twenty years and was a member of their Executive Committee from 1994-2209. In 2010 he was made a Honorary Lifetime Director. In 2011 he received the Association's Bill Brooks Community Service Award, their highest honor, for his long-time commitment toward improving life in the community. Mr. Schott is survived by his three children, Nash, Victoria and Steven; his daughter-in-law, Aniko; his step-daughter, Felicia Taylor; five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
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