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Charlie Schmidt
Charlie Schmidt served Saint Patrick High School from 1967 until his retirement in 2008. Charlie passed away on July 31, 2011.
He began his career at Saint Patrick in 1967 and for the next 41 years he would serve the school in various capacities. Charlie was the Director of Counseling, coached swimming and tennis, taught religion, and the ever popular "History of Chicago" classes. He was also heavily involved in the efforts of the Parents' Club for many years. At the Administrative level he held the offices of Curriculum Director and retired in
June of 2008 after serving 15 years as Assistant Principal.
"He was always approachable, cared about you, your thoughts and was a great listener," says Charlie's brother and current principal, Joe Schmidt. Charlie was one of four Schmidt brothers and grew up in Skokie, IL. He attended St. Peter's Elementary School. He enrolled at Quigley Seminary and graduated cum laude from Loyola University Chicago.
Joel Walsh '86 has been teaching for 21 years. In a note sent to Joe Schmidt after he attended Charlie's wake, Joel wrote, "I firmly believe that any good that I have done as a teacher and coach must be traced back to Saint Patrick. It was Charlie who gave me the necessary confidence and belief in myself to be more than a basketball coach who happens to teach. His kindness, acceptance, and good humor remain models for me, my students, my own children, and for us all."
When Charlie was born, his father purchased a life insurance policy in his name. Charlie chose Saint Patrick as the beneficiary of this policy. Since he had established this farsighted gift to St. Pat's, he was included in our Anam Cara Heritage Society. Charlie had the pleasure of attending many of our special celebratory events as well as a breakfast with host, Br. Konrad Diebold, during the Christmas season as a member of
Anam Cara.
The Anam Cara Heritage Society recognizes individuals who make provisions in their estate planning for the benefit of the school. Saint Patrick is proud to have 78 members in this most extraordinary group.
The Saint Patrick community will be naming a designated space in memory of Charlie.
