Leonard Emil Schmiege

Leonard Schmiege was born to Bertha and Albert Schmiege in a Brady Township Michigan. He was 15 years younger than his next sibling and it showed in his mischief. He loved showing sheep and won many awards and ribbons at the Michigan State Fair through the 4-H Program. He attended Michigan State University but before graduating he went to Pakistan in a pre-peace-corp capacity and taught locals farming. This far away land appealed to his adventuresome nature and his inclination to meet very different people than himself and try foods most of us would grimace over. In 1991 his daughter received a letter from a Pakistani boy. He explained when he was a child, Leonard was there and as a grown man that had never forgotten him. He invited Leonard back to see the improvements in his village after 40 years. Returning to the states he spoke to women's groups and different organizations about his experiences in Pakistan. He continued to earn his degree in Animal Husbandry. During that time, he also met the girl of his dreams at Michigan State University. A week after graduation on June 18, 1960, he married Lorraine Elizabeth Nieschulz. He would often say that was the best decision he ever made. Leonard landed a job at Central Soya Master Mix. Much to his dismay, he was a chicken feed salesmen. That was a long way from working with sheep. Central Soya wanted to branch out and targeted the Middle East territory. Leonard jumped at the chance with his wife fully supporting him and 2 little girls in tow to Beirut Lebanon. With a fresh territory, the sky was the limit and Leonard made the most of it. He even had dinner with an Arabian Princess. While in Lebanon his son was born. He and Lorraine learned to scuba dive. From wearing overalls to tuxedos, they were on the party circuit as Beirut had the reputation as "Paris of the Middle East". Beirut continued to be politically turbulent and when there was an opportunity to transfer, his wife leapt at the chance. The family moved to Athens Greece in 1970. Leonard and Lorraine continued to dive and became regular divers through the Dive Club with many expatriates. He taught his children how to dive in the deep end of the pool, hold their breath for over a minute and swim deep for clams. American Community Schools of Athens, Greece solicited to become a board member because of his knowledge with Parliamentary Procedure. Which he practiced when he was home from his travels, as his territory expanded from the Middle East to Africa. The Propeller Club was an organization that Leonard attended. This was another avenue to open doors for his career. Leonard was raised Lutheran, but that did not deter him from opening his heart to any believer. He's always been active in St. Andrew's Church, in Athens. He remained on their board for many years. Through all his business connections, Leonard started his own company. When his daughter asked what he did for a living, since it was needed on her college application, he said "entrepreneur". When she asked what was that, he responded, a risk taker. There was an adventure on an unknown river close to the Albanian border that the family will never forget. His plan, was just jump in the canoe and lets see where it takes us. It's a long story, through white water and a large black eye on Lorraine, that we landed on a sand bank with a couple solders pointing their guns at us and asking for passports. Leonard being one of the luckiest people on earth said he would get them as soon as he caught a ride back to camp. When he arrived at the road from the bottom of the ravine, a taxi was passing by, just in time. In 1979 Leonard and Lorraine found the perfect piece of property that faced south on a hillside. On this land, they built their dream passive solar home. This was a family team building adventure. It started with needing water and digging a well. One day when the kids came home from school there was a horse in the yard of their suburban home. The well was dug with the horses muscles, but then the stable had to be built. The family and friends, when possible, built the stable by hand. Which was good practice for the house that would consume most of their time for the next couple years. Through new skills it was all hands on deck building their dream home. Which was large enough to maintain an office with his new business partner, Ariana. Leonard continued to build personal and business relationships, although traveling receded. Which allowed him and Lorraine to grow vegetables that they missed from Michigan, such as sweet corn, asparagus, and other things like limes and pecans. Their dream house took on a youth hostel vibe as there were always visitors. He was so intrigued by people from around the world. His best talent was listening intently and he delighted everyone with his escapades. Recently his daughter asked him why he liked Africa so much. His response, it is wild. Leonard has never lost that sense of wild adventure. This past June, Leonard and Lorraine celebrated 60 years of blissful marriage. He loved with a warm heart, striving to do what was good and right. He was a faithful and loyal friend, warm hearted to all, a loving and affectionate father and devoted to his wife. He valued justice, practiced kindness, and loved the Lord. He is survived by his wife Lorraine Elizabeth Schmiege, children Lori Ellen Schmiege, Lisa (Schmiege) Sloan, Leonard Evan Schmiege and Grandsons Crofton Evan Sloan and Rollin Jett Sloan. He will be greatly missed.