William “Bill” R. Schmitz

William “Bill” R. Schmitz, age 93, of Wilmington, died on Nov. 24, 2017 at the Country House, having lived there for 13 years. Born in Percy, Illinois, William R. Schmitz (known as Bill) was graduated from the University of Illinois in 1944 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Organic Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1950.

During World War II, Bill did research on chemical warfare agents at the University of Chicago Toxicity Laboratory in 1944-45. Subsequently, he served as a 1^st LT in the US Public Health Service in Savannah, GA, assigned to Malaria Control in War Areas in 1945-47.

Bill started his career with the DuPont Company in 1950 as a research chemist at the Niagara Falls, NY plant of Electrochemicals Department. After two round trip transfers between Niagara Falls and Wilmington, Bill settled permanently in Wilmington in 1964. During his career, Bill served in technical and management assignments at the Experimental Station, Chestnut Run, and DuPont Building until retirement in 1989.

Bill was author of several scientific papers and held five US patents and was a member of several Chemical and Honorary Societies including American Chemical Society since 1947.

Among his many interests Bill enjoyed Travel, Square Dancing and Golf. He was active at Aldersgate United Methodist Church and other civic organizations and was a volunteer at Longwood Gardens for ten years.

In 1995 Bill’s wife (Rose) of 50 years died from Alzheimer’s complications. He is survived by his present wife, Elyn, and his daughter, Barbara Steinberg (Richard) of Supply, NC and his son, Don (Jan), of Gettysburg. Also surviving are his grandson, Michael Steinberg (Jackie), of NJ and his granddaughters, Susan Glowicki (Gary) of Chicago, Caroline Schmitz (Max) of England, Lisa Stovel (Glen) and Laura McCarthy (Michael) both of NC, three great grands in Chicago, two in New Jersey and two in England, Step Daughters, Patricia Ronda (Dave) of Lakewood, CA , Bonnie Harrell (Sam) of Henderson, NV, Nancy Sanderson (Michael Andy) of Newark, DE.

Services will be held at the Country House, 4830 Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE on Thursday November 30 at 1 pm followed by a reception. Burial will be in Lower Brandywine Cemetery, Kennett Pike. In lieu of flowers, family suggest contributions be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 2313 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803 or Vitas Health Care (Hospice), 100 Commerce Drive, Suite 302, Newark, DE 19713.The family would like to thank friends and staff at the Country House for their love, prayers, and care of Bill Schmitz during this difficult time.