Former IPS professor of religious education, Stephen A. Schmidt, Ed.D., age 79, of River Forest;\u00a0beloved husband of Hildegarde “Gick” nee Rehwaldt; loving father of Elizabeth (Douglas Swartz) Schmidt, Deborah Schmidt (Christopher) Rogers, Stephen (Arlene Sweeney-Schmidt) Schmidt and Ruth (Kevin Zamzow) Schmidt; cherished grandfather of 11 and great-grandfather of one; dear brother of Herbert (Grace) Schmidt and Henrietta (the late Harold) Kieschnick; fond uncle of many.<\/p>\n
Dr. Schmidt, a Professor of Religious Studies, taught at Concordia Teachers College, Mundelein College, and the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University, Chicago.\u00a0His funeral service was held\u00a0on Thursday, September 6.\u00a0\u00a0The family has asked that in\u00a0lieu of flowers, memorials to Institute of Pastoral Studies, 820 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 or Grace Lutheran Church and School, School Fund would be\u00a0appreciated.<\/p>\n
Professor Schmidt joined the Institute of Pastoral Studies faculty in 1991.\u00a0 In 1994 he was appointed the coordinator of the Center of Evangelization, Catechesis and Religious Education at the Institute of Pastoral Studies.\u00a0 \u00a0A prolific writer, he wrote extensively in many areas,\u00a0dealing with topics such as religious education,\u00a0catechesis in a changing world, campus ministry,\u00a0teaching,\u00a0church leadership and living with chronic illness.\u00a0\u00a0 Dr. Schmidt also served as editor of Stauros magazine.\u00a0 As Graduate Program Director of the Master of Religious Education degree,\u00a0\u00a0(1994-1998) \u00a0Stephen was involved in proposing\u00a0new curriculum and meeting the needs of the student population composed of both experienced religious educators and those new to the profession.<\/p>\n
Though Stephen ended his full time tenured position with Loyola in 1999, neither Loyola or the Institute of Pastoral Studies was ever far from his thoughts.\u00a0 He intended to stay involved and he did.\u00a0 We are filled with great gratitude for his teaching relationship with IPS which remained\u00a0one of support and encouragement\u00a0over the years.\u00a0 His leadership and friendship will be missed.<\/p>\n
We invite each of our\u00a0alumni to contribute memories\u00a0of how Professor Stephen Schmidt touched your life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Former IPS professor of religious education, Stephen A. Schmidt, Ed.D., age 79, of River Forest;\u00a0beloved husband of Hildegarde “Gick” nee Rehwaldt; loving father of Elizabeth (Douglas Swartz) Schmidt, Deborah Schmidt (Christopher) Rogers, Stephen (Arlene Sweeney-Schmidt) Schmidt and Ruth (Kevin Zamzow) Schmidt; cherished grandfather of 11 and great-grandfather of one; dear brother of Herbert (Grace) Schmidt read more