Edward Schmisseur

Wilson Edward “Ed” Schmisseur passed away peacefully at Willamette Springs Memory Care Community in Corvallis on February 12, 2018. Born July 17, 1942, in East St. Louis, Illinois, Ed was raised on the family farm near Troy, Illinois, where he developed a love of agriculture. As a young man, Ed was active in 4-H and FFA, where he represented his club and chapter in state parliamentary procedure and soil and livestock judging contests while attending Triad High School until his graduation in 1960. His interest in agriculture led him to the University of Illinois where, in 1964, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Science. He went on to obtain two degrees at Purdue University; a Master of Science in Dairy Management in 1966, followed by a PhD in Production Economics in 1973. While at Purdue, he met the love of his life, Brenda Mae Holcomb. They were married February 22, 1969. Ed and Brenda moved to Corvallis in January 1971 when he joined the faculty at Oregon State University in the Agricultural Economics department. During his 32 year career at Oregon State, Ed researched a wide range of topics, including irrigation water conservation, range fertilization, commercial egg production, nuclear power, Oregon Coast tourism, the Oregon racehorse industry and the Oregon dairy industry. In addition to his research contributions, he taught micro and macroeconomics to several thousand undergraduate students and was at the forefront of introducing computer technology in the classroom in the early 1980s. In 1983, Ed was honored with the R.M. Wade Excellence in Instruction award. He also served as major professor or advisory committee member for more than 50 graduate students and served as the graduate school representative for more than 40 others prior to his 2003 retirement. Outside of his professional life, Ed had many interests, chief among them being sports. While in high school he played basketball, wrestled, and ran cross country. For nearly three decades, he served as a referee for high school basketball and football games across Western Oregon. During the same time, he also served as the official timekeeper for Oregon State’s home basketball and football games. In his younger years, Ed enjoyed playing racquetball but in time traded his racquet in for a set of golf clubs. In retirement, he could often be found at Trysting Tree Golf Club in Corvallis, playing a round or simply hitting balls on the range. Another of Ed’s passions was buying, restoring, and reselling antiques. Together with Brenda, he ran Barton DeLoach Antiques out of a shop beside their 33rd Street home for more than 20 years. Ed’s faith in God ran deep, as evidenced by his devotion to his church, family, and friends. A quiet, soft spoken person, Ed professed his faith more by his actions and less by his words. Not only was he the youth director for several years, he served in other leadership roles at Zion Lutheran Church in Corvallis during his more than 30 years as a member. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Wilson Louis and Evelyn Wuanita Schmisseur; and brothers, Richard (Rick) and Thomas (Tom). He is survived by his wife, Brenda; sister, Sandra Kay Binder of Nashville, Indiana, daughters, Amy and Angie, sons-in-law Jeff Grizzel and Scott Radetich; and granddaughters, Campbell and Harper Grizzel. A memorial service to celebrate Ed’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on July 14, 2018, at Zion Lutheran Church at 2745 NW Harrison Blvd., Corvallis. Those who would like to honor Ed are encouraged to make a financial contribution to Serenity Hospice or the Corvallis Fire or Police Department.

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Edward Schmisseur

July 17, 1942 - February 12, 2018