Carl H. Schmidt, Jr. (Feb. 29, 1920 — Jan. 19, 2015) distinguished himself as a loving husband, devoted father, and successful businessman.

While attending Gesu grade school, Carl “watched Fr. McNichols direct dump trucks on Six Mile Road during the construction of the University of Detroit.” He next attended U of D High from 1933-37, where he was an honor student and among many other activities played football and was All City and Co-Captain of the hockey team. Carl attended the University of Detroit from 1937-42, where he was a class officer and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.

During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was trained and served as an ammunition officer and chemical warfare officer in the Aleutian Campaign on Attu and later in the Western Pacific at Okinawa. On leave during the war, he took his dog for a walk around the block and met the love of his life, Sis Johnson. They were married Feb. 15, 1947, at Gesu.

On March 19, 1954, St. Joseph’s feast day, he started the Carl H. Schmidt Company, a manufacturers’ representative agency for chemical, electrical, and metallurgical product companies which through his foresight eventually expanded into the global marketplace representing manufacturers in South Africa, China, Japan, and Korea. He also worked with the U of D Polymer Institute and helped fund research for the Institute’s Automotive Shredder Residue Program. His contributions to industry were widely recognized, and he held memberships in the American Society of Metals, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Manufacturers’ Agents National Association, and the Engineering Society of Detroit.

Carl also had a lifelong commitment to many local institutions, including U of D High, U of D, Marygrove College, Duns Scotus, Providence Hospital, and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Michigan, among others. He held numerous positions and received many awards for his years of service. He was a founding, charter member of the U of D President’s Cabinet and served on its board as chairman from 1981-85. He also served as president of the U of D Alumni Association from 1966-67. He received the U of D Engineer Alumnus Award in 1968. He also received the U of D Calihan Athletic Leaders Award, and the U of D Alumni Tower Award in 1972. He was awarded the U of D President’s Cabinet Medallion in 1995. He served on the U of D High President’s Council and as chairman in the 1960s and ‘70s. He received the U of D High Distinguished Alumni Award in 1978 and the U of D High Loyalty Award in 1972.

Carl served as a trustee of Marygrove College, and was also a director of the Northwest Hospital Association, trustee of the Hospital Quadrangle, and a member of the board of directors of the Providence Hospital Foundation and served as chairperson of the board from 1988-89.

He was recognized as an affiliate of the Daughters of Charity in 1990 and was awarded the Daughters of Charity Order of Charity Award in 1997. Carl also served on the board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan and was awarded the Youth Service Award in 1989. He was also a member of the Holy Name Society, the Knights of Columbus, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, Alpha Sigma Nu, and Legatus.

Carl had a lifelong love of ice hockey. After playing pond hockey for years, in the early 1970s he formed a U of D Alumni Hockey Team, which played annual games against the U of D Club Hockey Team and a yearly home-and-home series with the University of Notre Dame Alumni Hockey Team, coaches and football coaches, including Ara Parseghian. In 1996, when U of D High reinstated its hockey team after a 60-year absence, Carl was chosen as an honorary co-captain to take part in the opening faceoff. The U of D High Hockey Team has an annual award named after him. Carl continued to play hockey until his mid-80s. Carl was also a member of the Detroit Golf Club, the Detroit Athletic Club, and Bloomfield Hills Country Club.

Carl was a member of Gesu, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and St. Fabian parishes. He spent his last years at Sanctuary at Bellbrook, where he was well cared for up to the time of his death. Carl’s entire life was formed by his deep faith. He loved the Jesuits and his Jesuit education. The Jesuit motto, “A Man for Others,” greatly influenced how he lived his life. He also had a deep devotion to the Holy Family and attended daily Mass. The letters “JMJ” were on his stationery, business cards, office door, and the front license plate of his car. Every night the last thing he said to each member of the family was, “Praise be Jesus, Mary and Joseph,” to which each responded “Now and forever. Amen.” His deep faith touched many lives.

Though his accomplishments were many, Carl was most proud of his 44-year marriage to his wife Sis, who passed away in 1991; his three children, Carl (Susan), Michael (Suzanne), and Mary Christine Foxworthy (Martin); seven grandchildren, Leslie, Carl (Julie), Elisabeth Sportel (Matt), Caroline, Patrick, Emily, and Gaylyn; and three great-grandchildren Jenna, Callie, and Carl. Carl always had a positive outlook, a kind word for everyone, and a great sense of humor.

The family received friends Jan. 28, 2015, at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home in Troy, along with a rosary service. The Funeral Mass was Jan. 29, 2015, at St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel, Bloomfield Hills. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield. Memorial tributes may be made to: U of D Jesuit High School, 8400 S. Cambridge, Detroit, MI 48221.