By Mari Radtke
David Schmidt of Calumet was recently recognized by two organizations who have valued his contributions for nearly two decades. The Sutherland Recreation Corporation (SRC) which founded Willoway, hosted a small gathering with Schmidt as guest of honor on Friday May 21. Mark Cody served as MC. Sue Hill and Jeff Triplett, also long time board members of SRC were present to recognize the occasion. Also honoring Schmidt was Kiana Johnson, Executive Director of O’Brien County Economic Development Corporation. Schmidt has represented Calumet on that board for 19 years. Each organization presented Schmidt with a plaque.
Schmidt was forced to resign recently due to health concerns. When asked on Friday he said, “I feel fantastic every damn day! I feel the same as I did in October.”
Cody recounted Schmidt’s work with SRC going back to the initial effort by just 10 board members to obtain the former Sutherland School building. “It was a lot of hard work,” he said. He talked of tearing up the gymnasium floor on the basement where the indoor swimming pool now provides exercise to members and Willoway residents or just plain fun. “I kinda helped with that,” he said. They recounted how Schmidt had placed the rubber fitness center floor, originally on the second floor, and then had to replace it where the fitness center now is in the basement. He said the elevator shaft was the hardest. He helped Goose Ginger build the elevator shaft near the south entrance. He explained they had to remove 3 stories of terrazzo floor in 1998. They did the last floor in 2000. Despite the hard work he looked back at the time and said, “I can’t believe how much fun that was.”
SRC sold to Cornerstone Senior Community in 2010. Cornerstone board. Mark Cody said, “He was the go-to guy for contracting and construction work. He served with Judy Schultz and Tom Triplett as the local board members. He is also known for his asparagus.
On Economic Development he was part of the hiring committee that selected Kiana Johnson in 2005. Johnson expressed her appreciation to him for his participation with dairy recruitment. She said he was very active in that effort. He was supportive of the tourism committee efforts and with quality of life issues that sometimes become an economic development concern.
Johnson said he was instrumental in the development of the annual Career Day, adding that he knows we need to keep youth here.
Besides Jim Zeutenhorst, Sanborn and Marty Weber, Paullina, Schmidt is the longest serving member of the OCEDC board of directors.
Johnson said of Schmidt’s service, “We had a great partnership. He took information back to the city. That is very important.”
As a long time part of OCEDC Schmidt was an invaluable help to develop the Value Added Hall of Fame program. “He brought skills to the table,” she said. “He had a green thumb and was knowledgeable about agriculture and farming.” She went on to explain that Schmidt understood gap financing of local businesses.” She said he gave guidance and direction to her over the years. He served nearly 19 years as a director for OCEDC, giving a lot of volunteer hours. He was involved in ethanol, dairy , the wind farm and helped guide the Revolving Loan Fund from $50,000 to now $4 million. He resigned in April due to his health.