Frederick Schmid

Frederick "Champ" Schmid passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025, surrounded by his family. Fred leaves behind his wife of 63 years; Judith Atkinson Schmid, his sons Keil Schmid and Kurt Schmid, his daughter in law Margarita Schmid and grandkids Max Schmid, Kaia Schmid and Timo Schmid.

Fred was born on June 2, 1936 outside Cooperstown, NY. He grew up working on his parent’s dairy farm. His educational interests led him away from the farm and he went on to graduate from Lafayette University and earned his master’s degree at Northeastern University. A gifted technology inventor and scientist with many international patents and scientific publications to his name, he formed Crystal Systems Inc., in Salem, MA in 1971, producing the world's largest sapphire and silicon crystals. He achieved the pinnacle of business success with the sale of the business to a public company in 2010. However, crystal growth, science and the desire to continue to develop technology would continue in his new company; Crystal Systems Innovations Inc, to this very day. Fred thoroughly enjoyed working with the employees of his company and the technical industry at large. Fred would walk onto the production floor each day to say good morning to each employee and see how things were going with the technology and production.

Fred had many passions beyond work, he was an avid sailor and raced in the Marblehead Rhodes 19 fleet, (winning the East Coast Championships, with his wife Judy), and later on in the PHRF fleet, he was known as a fierce competitor and loved to recount the races over a beer with his crew and fellow racers after the events.

Fred was an avid tennis player, skier and gardner who could be found outdoors enjoying nature during his free time. He was a big family man and loved having the whole family around to enjoy time together at his home and meals with his family. He was well known in his businesses and around the town as a friendly guy who dreamed big and pursued them vigorously up until his final moments. Every lion has a final roar and his will continue to echo through all he accomplished and all the folks who he impacted, especially through his family who loved him dearly. As he would always say to people when saying goodbye to them "have fun, but not too much" with a big smile.

A Celebration of Fred’s Life will be held in the Spring. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Plummer House, via Plummer Youth Promise | Helping Foster Children, 37 Winter Island Road

Salem, MA 01970-5715 or https://plummeryouthpromise.org/?campaign=695451