Walter A. Schmidt

Walter Schmidt, Age 83, of Waukegan, Illinois, passed away on November 3, 2013 at Silverado Senior Living in Lake Zurich, IL. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 21, 1930 to Roman and Carolyn Schmidt, who are deceased. While in Chicago he graduated from St. Michael's Grammar School, Lane Tech High School, and the Illinois Institute of Technology with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also became a leader in Boy Scouts in his teens, and then later in life as a father. After working for Wilson & Company, he accepted a job with Linde Division of Union Carbide, and later with North Chicago Refiners and Smelters as plant engineer, from which he retired in 1996. In 1954, he was drafted into the Army for a two year period, serving one year in Germany. In 1957, he married his wife, Eileen (nee Kaas) and they had five children, Kathryn (Steve) Wells, Sharon (Bruce) Jordan, Sandra (Nick) Godellas, Wayne (Ruth) Schmidt and Kenneth (Linda) Schmidt. He had twelve grandchildren, Austin, Erika, Lauren, Chelsea, Joy, Nicole, Gregory, Jennifer, Stephanie, Ashley, Christopher (Liz) Rathbone, and Candice. He has three great-grandchildren, Bryce Langdon, Kyler Becker, and Addison Rathbone. He is also survived by two brothers, Roman and Herbert. His wife, Eileen, died in 1992, by which time all children were married. A short time later, a friend, Gert Vardeman came into life, and they traveled the world sight-seeing all the lands. He was active in the German-American Club - DANK Lake County, the American Institute of Plant Engineers, the Waukegan Moose Lodge and he volunteered at Vista Medical Center East Hospital. Friends of the family may visit on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Marsh Funeral Home at 305 Cemetery Rd., Gurnee. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Dismiss Church in Waukegan at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday with graveside services following at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville. Memorials to donor's choice.