Philantropist Lived For Work

By Steve Caraway

Posted: November 18, 2009 at 4:11 a.m.

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Lawrence Schmieding, a man who worked as hard at philanthropy as he did his profession, died Monday at age 89.

Respected nation wide as a produce broker, Schmieding’s donations helped start the Schmieding Children’s Center and the Schmieding Center for Senior Health and Education.

“Everybody knew him as a hard-nosed business man,” said Dr. Larry Wright, director of the center for senior health. “He worked just as hard to help people.”

Stanley Ludwig, Springdale district court judge, previously counted Schmieding’s company and family as a client for 30 years.

“Their plan for success was to work long, hard hours with dedication and honesty,” Ludwig said. “The family was gratified to be able to do philanthropic work.”

Schmieding was born Oct. 6, 1920 in Lincoln, Neb., one of five sons of August and Martha Schmieding. After serving in World War II, Lawrence Schmieding moved to Springdale in 1947, where older twin brothers Herbert “Herb” and Hulbert “Bert” Schmieding had started a trucking business.

The business grew into to H.C. Schmieding Produce, one of the largest private companies in the state. Lawrence Schmieding became president and chief executive officer. Herb Schmieding died in 1971 and Bert Schmieding in 1996.

The company handled any fruit or vegetable from its beginnings, but moved more into potatoes during later years.

When the center for senior health opened, boxes of potatoes supported the ribbon for the ribbon cutting, said Gilda Underwood, president of the Schmieding Foundation.

“Someone said it took a lot of potatoes to build the center,” Underwood said.

Schmieding was known for his long hours at the office, Underwood said. Underwood worked for Schmieding more than 40 years.

“Mr. (Lawrence) Schmieding said he only worked half a day,” Underwood said. “From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.”

Schmieding shared his work ethic with his employees. A typical work week was 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with a half a day off on Sunday, said Gary Owens, company executive vice president. Owens also worked more than 40 years for the company.

“That eased off in later years, but Mr. Schmieding always believed in work,” Owens said.

Bert and Lawrence Schmieding donated more than $1 million to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital to start the children’s center, located next to Northwest Medical Center in Springdale. After Bert Schmieding grew ill, Lawrence made a promise he would never put his brother in a nursing home.

“Even with his wealth, Mr. Schmieding had a hard time finding people who could care for Bert,” said Wright. “When he found good people, they wouldn’t have the training to know what to do.”

The experience led to the creation of the Center for Senior Health and Education, Wright said. Lawrence Schmieding donated $15 million to begin the center, one of eight in the state operated by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

“We are the only one lucky enough to have a benefactor,” Wright said.

Construction of the facility, located next to the Schmieding Produce building in Springdale, cost $5 million, Wright said. What remained of the donation was set aside for operating expenses. Schmieding’s contribution to the center has grown to $20 million since it opened in 1999, Wright said.

Even before his donations to help children and seniors, Schmieding gave anonymously to charity, Ludwig said.

“The community wasn’t aware how much he gave,” Ludwig said. “It was considerable. He didn’t want people to know about it.”

Schmieding didn’t slow down the last two years, after he was diagnosed with cancer.

“He was here working for half a day on Thursday,” Underwood said. “He kept working the entire time.”

Schmieding is survived by his wife, Helen, a stepdaughter, Pam English and a stepson, Ricky Sharp.

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