Herman Schmalzried

Herman Schmalzried, age 84, of Maumee, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, December 1, 2010. Herman was born in Toledo, Ohio to Hermann and Bertha Schmalzried. At age 13, following his mother’s death, the family returned to Germany. A few years later he was drafted into the German Army during World War II at a young age and sent to battle at the Russian Front. During a ferocious battle near Stalingrad he was wounded several times before being captured. He spent nearly two years in a Siberian prison camp before returning to Germany at the end of the war. He met his wife, Maria (Necker) in a bakery in Stuttgart, Germany, where they both worked. They were married for 58 years until her death in December, 2005. Herman continued to mourn her loss until his own death. Returning to the United States in 1948, Herman went to work for National Cement Products where he was employed until his retirement in 1990. Herman enjoyed visiting Korb, Germany where he spent his youth helping out in the vineyards at the family winery and working in the family bakery and eventually became a Master Baker. He treated his family at Christmastime for many years with traditional German cookies, stollen and sweetbreads from recipes that had been perfected and handed down by his family for generations and committed to his memory. He would usually visit Germany in October so that he could help his relatives with the harvest at the Schmalzried Weingut Winery and attend Oktoberfest. His greatest joys were spending time with his children and grandchildren, and traveling with Maria. Upon their retirement they spent many winters in Arizona and took cruises to such locations as Alaska, the Panama Canal, and the Mediterranean Riviera. Herman was a member of the Toledo Schwaben-Verein for 44 years, serving as president for 42 years. He was very dedicated and volunteered countless hours of his time to ensure that events at Oak Shade Grove were successful and enjoyed by all who attended. As an active member of many local German societies, Herman was a trustee for the German American Festival Society for many years. Herman organized many tours to Germany and arranged for the appearance of several authentic German bands at Oak Shade Grove. He received numerous awards from the German government for his work in promoting German American culture. As a voracious reader of World War II history, he was very knowledgeable about many details regarding various battles. In fact, Herman was often consulted by World War II historical researchers for his expertise. Herman is survived by his children, Walter (Marsha), Hans (Susan), Robert (Ann), Bill (Kathy) of the Toledo area, and Rosie (Bill) Short of Phoenix, AZ. He will be dearly missed by his 10 grandchildren: Chuck and Chad Schmalzried, Erica Schmalzried, Courtney Caparso, Cody and Corey Schmalzried, Heather Ludwig, Drew Schmalzried, Bill Short, and Adrienne Jacobsen as well as 13 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sister, Ruth Stroebel (Mannheim, Germany), sister-in-law, Helene Party (Steinenbronn, Germany), and brothers-in-law, Otto Dieterle (Schutzingen, Germany), and Heinz (Mary Ann) Necker (Navarre, Florida), as well as many nieces and nephews and his special canine friend, Dock. Friends may call at the Coyle Funeral Home 1770 So. Reynolds Road, Toledo on Sunday, from 12-3 p.m. A memorial service will begin at 3 p.m. Interment will be private. Memorials may take the form of a contribution to the Herman Schmalzried Scholarship Fund of the Toledo Schwaben-Verein or Heartland Hospice. The family wishes to give sincere appreciation to the nurses of Heartland Hospice for their special care.

Herman Schmalzried

July 29, 1926 - December 1, 2010