Loren Henry "Dutch" Schmid

Loren Henry “Dutch” Schmid, age 86 passed away in Porterville on Monday, October 26, 2009.  Loren was born in Ansley, Nebraska and came to Porterville at the age of seventeen to play football at Porterville College.  Shortly after arriving in town he met a pretty brunette at the soda shop, Barbara Jane Frame, and as they say……the rest is history.  They were married for fifty-four years and had four children.

Loren was active in the banking industry locally as a branch manager at Mineral King Savings and Loan, later know as California Federal Bank.  He was extremely active in local clubs and organizations and received numerous awards including “Jr. Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year” in 1957, “Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year” in 1980, “Golfer of the Year” in 1979 and several more.  He served dozens of years as chairman of the local blood bank and sang in local barbershop quartets.  He was instrumental in bringing a little league organization to Porterville.

Upon his retirement Loren enjoyed taking care of his 100 acre citrus grove on Tennessee Knob in Terra Bella.  For many years Loren could be found behind a smoking barbeque with great friends, Joe Mosconi and Jack Lucey.  They were proud to brag of being the first to introduce the citizens of Tulare County to tri-tip.

One of his greatest joys was traveling throughout the U.S. and other countries with Barbara.  In 1973 they founded “Sierra West Travel” with their friends Margaret and Bob Bennett.  This allowed them to travel to exciting destinations and they were responsible for organizing many local High School band trip excursions.
Loren was preceded in death by his loving wife, Barbara Schmid; parents, Elsie and Henry Schmid and two sisters, Dee Myers and Leone Wood.

He leaves behind his oldest son, Greg Schmid of Woodland; daughter, Leslie Schmid of Visalia; sons, Rick Schmid of Porterville/Grover Beach and Steve Schmid of Porterville/Grover Beach; eight grandchildren, two great grand-children and brothers, Ron Schmid and Bob Schmid.

A graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park on Friday, October 30th at 11:00 AM.  Contributions can be made to Central California Blood Center, 93 N. Main St., Porterville, CA 93257.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myersfuneral.com. 

Myers Funeral Service & Crematory in Porterville is in charge of arrangements.