Mark Robert Schmitt sadly and unexpectedly lost a battle with leukemia on April 7, 2015. Born in 1954 to Robert and Mary Schmitt, Mark spent his youth in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, graduating from Wheeling High School and attending various colleges. In 1981, he moved to San Clemente, CA, where he raised his family and shared his talents with the community.
Mark’s forty one year career passion was insurance. His work in the industry allowed him to successfully cofound an insurance company and became Senior V.P. of risk acquisition for both national and international reinsurance markets for Assurant. Mark was also an owner of a cheesecake business in Chicago with his childhood best friend. Mark enjoyed the simple aspects of travel, community service, philanthropy, sports, music (especially Bruce Springsteen), and time with his friends and family. Following his children closely as they grew up, Mark was involved in Indian Princesses & Guides as well as coaching softball, baseball and basketball. His passion for his community brought him to the Boys and Girls Club, where he served as a board member and past president. Civically, Mark was a Tri-City Municipal Water District election winner, a past San Clemente Planning Commissioner and General Planning Commissioner of San Clemente. He also sat on a SC Parks and Recreation Task Force. He set the highest standards for family and friends and steered them all towards success. Aside from these communal pleasures he enjoyed the idyllic frustrations of golf and the lessons hidden inside history books. With a photographic memory, a remarkable financial sense, and a habit of “saying-it-like-it-was”, he always shared his knowledge with others. His passion for learning did not stop and he always spoke about the day he would retire and finish a degree in the historical sciences.
Mark’s love of family was evident in everything he did. Married for 32 years, he is survived by his loving wife, Kitty; children, Caitlyn & Matthew; sister, Karen Wells Zelinski; his dog, Sadie, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will dearly miss his loyalty, love, keen wit, and German ethics.
Memorial services will be held on May 9, 2015, at 11 AM at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 200 E Avenida San Pablo, San Clemente CA.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area in San Clemente P O Box 3042, San Clemente CA 92674.
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