Richard H. Schmidt
March 3, 2004
Richard H. Schmidt, professor emeritus of psychology at Western Michigan University, died Feb. 7 in Sun City West, Ariz. He was 67.
Schmidt joined the WMU faculty in 1955 after serving as an instructor at Oklahoma State University and as acting head of the psychology department at Gustavus Adolphus College. He was also a psychology advisor at Fort Hayes State College. He was a certified consulting psychologist in Michigan and a member of the American and Michigan Psychological Associations. As director of professional experiences in WMU's psychology department and Graduate College, he was instrumental in setting up a system of control and supervision for internship programs. He retired in 1979 with 23 years service to WMU.
During World War II, Schmidt served as a personnel consultant in the Army Specialized Training Program. Following the war, he earned bachelor's, master's and Doctor of Education degrees from Oklahoma State.
Schmidt is survived by his wife of 59 years, Fredericka Schmidt, of Sun City West. Memorials may be made to support a scholarship endowment created by Schmidt through the Crown of Life Lutheran Church, 13131 Spanish Garden Dr., Sun City West, AZ 85375.
Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu