WKSU Commuinty Advisory Council Member Christoph Schmid Dies


From the Wooster Daily Record:

Christoph Schmid of Lakewood passed away Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, at the age of 66.

He was born in Stuttgart, Germany, on Jan. 29, 1947, son of Maria and Konrad Schmid. Most of his life in the United States was spent in Wooster.

He served as president of LuK Inc., Tekfor and Wooster Hydrostatics. He was a principal and officer of Novatex North America Inc., a principal of CSI Advisory Services and was a member of the board of directors of ABS Materials, PWAbsorbents Inc., The Noble Foundation, Bloomington Medical Services, NorTech, Wayne Economic Development Council, Wooster Growth Corporation, Northeast Ohio Regional Center and North Coast Angel Fund, and chairman of Wayne Growth Partnership Foundation.

Chris made a tremendous impact at Jumpstart Inc., where he was a founding board member, served as board chairman, as an entrepreneurial mentor and helped to create the North Coast Angel Fund and the Wooster Opportunity Loan Fund. Chris also served on the WKSU Advisory Board.

Chris' passion was the encouragement of economic development and entrepreneurship in Wooster and the entire Northeast Ohio region and he was instrumental in bringing new businesses to the area. He also was passionate about racewalking, holder of numerous USA Track and Field championship records, including a World Masters Championship and was named as the 2009, 2010, 2011 USATF Masters Racewalker of the Year.

Chris was the devoted husband of Laurel; beloved father of Andreas Schmid of Wooster, and Derek Schmid of Royal Oak, Mich.; beloved stepfather of Meredith Hines Schulte (Stephen) of Avon Lake and Leslie Hines Pangrace( Nathan) of Rocky River, and beloved grandfather of Benjamin Hines Schulte. He also is survived by his mother, Maria Schmid, brothers Eckart Hammer (Brigitte) and Hartmut Schmid (Mona), and sisters Barbara Hoppe, Dorothee Schmid and Ursula Baumgaer (Stefan), all of Germany.

His vision, passion and tenacity have positively impacted the growth of economic development in Northeast Ohio and particularly here in Wooster. He was a true mentor and leader who was admired by many.

A memorial service will be held March 6 at 6 p.m. at the Shisler Center, 1625 Wilson Road, Wooster. on the OARDC campus.

Contributions may be made to the Wayne County Community Foundation Chris Schmid Memorial Fund.

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