Obituary: Crescent Electric’s Dick Schmid

Richard T. (Dick) Schmid, who devoted his working career to the electrical distribution industry and Crescent Electric Supply, the company his grandfather Titus Schmid founded in 1919, passed away on April 25.

Schmid graduated from St. Norbert College, De Pere, WI, and worked several years for the General Electric Co. before joining Crescent Electric in 1977. Over the years, he held a number of positions with the company, including account manager, branch manager, area manager, V.P. of marketing and senior V.P community relations. He also served on Crescent Electric’s board of directors.

In its announcement of his passing, Crescent Electric said in a statement, “Dick had a huge personality and was a friend to all. He was also a huge Chicago Bears fan and loved to play practical jokes on his friends. He and Carrie Schmid, his wife of 23 years, worked closely with the rest of the Schmid family to help fund and start the Crescent Community Health Center, which has served thousands of patients in need since 2006.

“He and his wife also founded the Schmid Innovation Center, Dubuque, IA, which supports non-profits and community initiatives, and StartUp Dubuque, which provides resources to encourage, cultivate and promote growth and success of start-ups and early stage companies. Dick will be missed by his many friends throughout the industry.”