Ben L. Schmid<br/>January 12, 1923 - August 23, 2014

On Saturday, August 23rd, Ben Schmid made a sudden, but gentle and gracious exit to a life extraordinarily well-lived. Born in Riverside, raised in Hollywood and a 30-year resident of San Marino before moving to Balboa Island in 1985, Ben was a respected Consulting Structural Engineer, loving husband for 67 years to his childhood sweetheart and Hollywood High School classmate, Jeanne Howlett Schmid, perfect father to his children Nancy (Rob) Hunt, Peggy Schmid, John (Heather) Schmid, proud grandfather to Rob Hunt III, David Tyler Hunt, Lindsey (Mike) Hunt Marmolejo, Hayley (Duncan) Hunt Hedges, Linden Schmid and Rylen Schmid, dear friend to many and dedicated community leader.

Following his WWII service with honor as a C-47 pilot in the Army/Air Corps, he proudly earned his B.S. and M.S. Degrees in Civil and Structural Engineering from Stanford University, where he was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. He was a licensed Consulting Structural Engineer for 62 years and still active at the time of his passing. Throughout his career, Ben raised the bar on his profession and was known for his landmark accomplishments, forward thinking and passion for structural integrity of single and multi-family residences, schools, churches and commercial, industrial and institutional facilities.

An active volunteer in his beloved communities of San Marino and Balboa Island, he served on the Marino Planning Commission, as a Founding Member of the San Marino Schools Foundation, President of San Marino City Club, member of Rotary, San Gabriel Country Club, Newport Beach Country Club, Balboa Island Improvement Association and Orange County Seniors, traveling globally to experience many of the world’s greatest golf courses.

Ben was a vibrant, kind and generous man who loved his family, friends, laughter, life – and worldwide travels, especially to Maui, London, Paris and Lucerne! He was an inspiration to all who were blessed to know him.

A celebration of his life is planned for 11 am on Friday, September 12 at San Marino Community Church, with a reception to follow at San Gabriel Country Club. Donations in his memory may be made to the Stanford University Women’s Soccer Program, Rotary Club of San Marino, Titan Stadium Maintenance Fund or the charity of your choice. The family asks that in his memory, you hug one another, enjoy each moment to the max, and remember always to laugh!