Dr. Ralph Schmidt, president of the International College of Chiropractic for a quarter century, died on August 6th. He was 81.
Dr. Schmidt was born in Rugby Junction, Wisconsin on July 27, 1918. He married Edith Nehmer in Chicago, Illinois in 1941 and graduated from National College of Chiropractic the following year. From 1943-1946, he served with the United States Naval Reserve before moving to Oregon and starting a practice there in 1947.
Dr. Schmidt was president of the American Chiropractic Association (1967-68) and a member of the ACA Board of Governors (1966-1969).
He was a trustee of the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER) and served as FCER president.
At the state level, he was president of the Oregon Association of Chiropractic Physicians (1954), president of the Oregon State Board of Chiropractic Examiners (1972-1978) and president of the Oregon Chiropractic Physician's Association (1983-84).
The ACA honored him with the Humanitarian" award (1989) and the "Distinguished Service" award (1990). He was named the "Chiropractor of the Year" (1964) by the Oregon Association of Chiropractic Physicians, and given the "Pioneer" award (1983) by the Oregon Chiropractic Physicians Association.
Dr. Schmidt inspired hundreds of young men and women to pursue careers in chiropractic, including one of his sons (John, National College, 1971) and four relatives.
Aside from his dedication to the profession, Dr. Schmidt was active in the American Legion, the Masons, and was president of the Silverton Toastmasters Club. He was also a staunch supporter of the Portland Trailblazers basketball team.
Dr. Schmidt was also the co-owner (since 1969) of a tree farm, and was a partner in the Silver Falls Winery.
Dr. Schmidt is survived by his wife of 58 years, Edith; six children: (John Schmidt,DC; Tom Schmidt; Carrell DeShaw; Linda Anderson; Kathy Hicks; Cindy Scott); 31 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Letters of condolence can be sent to Dr. Schmidt's family at:
Edith Schmidt
4030 Victor Point Road
Silverton, OR 97381
Aaron DeShaw, DC, JD, has dedicated his homepage (www.doctorlawyer.net ) to the memory of Dr. Schmidt.
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