Schmitt, Edwin C. (1888-1930)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1930 Jul 16 p. 3

Birth date: 1888 Feb 2

text of obituary:

Dr. Edwin C. Schmitt

Dr. Edwin C. Schmitt was born near Moundridge, Kansas, February 2, 1888. He attended the local public school and graduated from the High School. He attended Bethel College graduating in 1909. He attended Kansas University and received his A. B. degree in 1912 and his A. M. degree after a year of post graduate work. After attending Chicago University several years he entered Rush Medical College, graduating in December 1917. He took his internship in the Washington Boulevard hospital and added another year of service there.

In January 1920 he entered the Cook County hospital and after six months of services there his health began to fail and he was advised to change climate. Accordingly he went to New Mexico and later on to California, making his home first at Santa Barbara and later at Monrovia.

On May 18, 1902 he was baptized upon the confession of his faith by Rev. Wm. Galle and received into the membership of the West Zion Mennonite Church where he remained a faithful member until the time of his departure.

He was united in marriage with Miss Louella Geiger of Bluffton, Ohio, November 4, 1919. To this union one son, Kenneth Allan, was born.

Having been in ill health for a number of years his condition at times was considered serious. About six months ago he began to take a new treatment, it was his own which he had worked out after many months of study and research. In two months his condition had greatly improved and he gradually kept on gaining, so that he and his family felt that there was hope of a gradual recover. He was enjoying fairly good health and was making plans for the future when he suddenly became ill on Wednesday June 18. The dreaded disease Bulbar infantile paralysis had made its attack and on June 22 he peacefully passed away at his home in Monrovia, California, bringing his age to 42 years, 4 months and 20 days.

He leaves to mourn his early departure his wife, one son, two brothers, J. J. Schmitt of Los Angeles, Cal., and D. H. Schmitt of Moundridge, Kansas, two sisters, Mrs. Albert P. Haury of Woodlake, Cal., and Mrs. Roy D. Harmon, of Moundridge, Kansas, and a host of relatives and friends.

A Tribute from his wife.

For over ten years Edwin was never without a pain somewhere — many times excruciating pain — yet he never complained or bemoaned his condition. In fact he rarely mentioned it except when some examining doctor would ask him about a definite pain he would say, "There is always a pain somewhere." In looking over his long temperature record I found many notations of pain which he never mentioned to me.

When he would hear of all that the younger doctors were doing he would wish he could be doing big things as well. Although he did not get into active work as a physician I think perhaps in a bigger sense he realized his life's desire of healing people's souls as well as their bodies.

The very first time he called on me — thirteen years ago today — he told me of his high conception of a physicians calling in life, that which I have just mentioned. For many came to comfort and cheer him and went away vastly cheered and comforted and better than when they came into the house — resolved to go out and do better things.

In his marvelous optimism he was never depressed, he was always the one to cheer me when I came home tired — and I never entered the house but what he had a new story for me or something interesting to tell me. He never cared for idle gossip, if nothing good could be said of one then he kept still.

I feel that his influence and wonderful spirit will live on for many years in other lives and perhaps in that way — who knows — accomplish more than his frustrated career might have done.

All those years he has not been idle but has been studying or thinking along medical research lines, particularly in the sicknesses which afflicted him and at the last he had worked out some medical research problems which some day may save many lives.

He had finished some of these — after years of work of a few minutes each day — and now they are ready for publication. So perhaps these few things will mean more than even a highly specialized practice might have done. For had he been very busy he would not have had time to work out these problems.

This is just his body I have brought home to his beloved Kansas, but his spirit, influence and love for his fellow man will live on for all time.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1930 Jul 16 p. 6

text of obituary:

LOCAL

. . .

— Funeral services for Dr. E. S. [sic E. C.] Schmitt were hled at Moundridge last Thursday, July 10, his remains having been brought from Monrovia, California, where he died on June 22. The funeral had been delayed, because of the two week's quarantine which had been placed on the home after his death. Interment was made in the West Zion cemetery. Rev. P. K. Regier had charge of the services and rev. J. F. Moyer preached the sermon. Besides Mrs. Schmitt and child, only immediate relatives and a few doctor friends were present.

The Mennonite obituary: 1930 Aug 7 p. 13