Dr. John Frederick Schmidt, 67, died, Jan. 4, 2014. He was born Nov. 12, 1946 in Waukesha, Wis. to Ralph and Edith Schmidt. His family moved to Silverton when he was a toddler.
His family says he will be remembered by many for his genuine kindness, spontaneous humor and boundless compassion. He remained passionate about nurturing the earth and encouraging others to care for themselves and each other. They remember him as an adventurous and spiritual being who gave to others with his whole heart.
He graduated from Silverton Union High School in 1964 and attended Lewis & Clark College for undergraduate study. After obtaining his Doctorate of Chiropractic degree in 1971 from National College of Chiropractic in Chicago, IL, he joined Schmidt Chiropractic in Silverton, which had been started by his father Ralph in 1947.
The father and son worked together for 28 years and in 1974 were joined by John’s brother-in-law, Dr. Steve DeShaw. Schmidt Chiropractic served as a training ground for many Oregon chiropractors, several of whom went on to become leaders in their field.
Dr. Schmidt served as the president of two state Oregon Chiropractic associations. He lobbied on behalf of several public health issues before the Oregon legislature and he continued to study health research and developments, including chiropractic treatment methods, nutrition, healing therapies and environmental toxicity issues throughout his life. His dedication to providing natural health care options contributed to expanding alternative health care available in Silverton.
In his time away from the clinic, Dr. Schmidt established a vineyard and was one of the first to bring Pinot Gris grapes to the east side of the Willamette Valley. A few years later he was a co-founder of Silver Falls Winery.
He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. In 1974, Bar-J Management was formed with his father, and the DeShaw and Brinker families on the Vaughn Ranch in Fox, Ore., to create a safe hunting environment for the families. Since 1963, many a summer weekend was spent with family and friends at Devil’s Lake. He was a master water skier and entertained all generations with his animated stories around the campfire.
Dr. Schmidt owned, planted and managed a timber property in Scotts Mills for many years that he later opened to an archery club. A beautiful log home that he built with timber he harvested and finished by hand with a scribe and chisel now stands on the property.
His family and faith were his true treasures, his family said. He specially enjoyed reading, writing and philosophy as well as gardening, hunting, traveling and providing excellent healthcare to his patients.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Ralph and Edith Schmidt of Silverton. He is survived by his wife Jane Golden-Schmidt; siblings Tom Schmidt, Carrell DeShaw, Linda Anderson, Kathy Hicks and Cindy Scott; children Michael (Leslie), Ryan (Sarah), Stefanie, Kristofer (Jessica), Nikolas and Katrina Schmidt, stepchildren: Kyle, Madeline and Benjamin Golden, grandchildren: Sage, Gavin and Margaret Schmidt and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2 p.m. at The Festhalle in Mount Angel.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages friends and well wishers to plant a tree or donate to the Oregon Chiropractic Association in his memory. Arrangements were made by Unger Funeral Chapel.
