George O. Schroeder

George O. Schroeder, 79, of Waupaca, died on Thursday, March 24 2005, at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin. George was the best friend and beloved husband of Kathryn “Mickey” Sweeney Schroeder, and the friend and father of George M. Schroeder, Marty Schroeder and Ellen Schroeder (Torren Pies), all of Wisconsin, and Chuck Lucas (Mia), of California. George was a humble man of great personal integrity. His life was filled with professional accomplishments, athletic achievements and happy times spent with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was loved and respected by all who knew him. George was born on June 30, 1925, in Chicago, the son of Oscar and Jessica (Manhattan) Schroeder. He attended St. Columbanus Grade School and graduated from Leo High School at age sixteen. George completed two years of college at Fordham University before entering the Army in 1943. George served in Europe during World War II, including duty as a forward airborne artillery spotter over the Rhine. He returned to college after service receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Fordham in 1948. On December 22, 1955, George married Mickey in Chicago. George’s professional career began at the American Can Company in 1948. From 1964 to 1984, he served as Director of Technology Development and Process Research at the company’s Neenah Technical Center. There, George mentored dozens of young engineers that went on to lead the packaging industry in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1984, George established a packaging consulting firm, George O. Schroeder Associates, Inc. in which he was active up until the time of his death. He was also active in Schroeder International, Inc., a company he co-founded in 1998. During his lifetime, George authored or coauthored more than twenty U.S. patents. In one of the highlights of his career, George helped develop tie layers to bond otherwise incompatible resins into a single packaging material. This watershed technology is the foundation for most modern packaging including such everyday conveniences as squeezable ketchup bottles, microwave able bowls, plastic juice bottles, and meat and cheese packaging. George also developed the skiving and hemming process for protecting the raw edge of coated paperboard cartons which, five decades after development, remains the industry standard. Known throughout Asia, George was a member of one of the first trade delegations to visit China after open trade was established in 1972. Although George hated to fly, he also regularly traveled to Japan on business. In recognition of his contributions to packaging science, George was inducted into the Packaging Hall of Fame in 1994. George was an incredible athlete throughout his lifetime. He played high school basketball at the age of 14 and semi-pro baseball (a remarkable left fielder) on the southside of Chicago after the war. George was a tri-state ping-pong champion and was the 1967 State of Wisconsin horseshoe champion. He was one of the finest left-handed bowlers in the Fox Valley in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. In addition, he remained a competitive golfer through last season. George was an avid White Sox fan and rooted for the Chicago Bears. George was preceded in death by his parents and his favorite cat, Mookie. George is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren: Sara and Shanna Schroeder, Madeline, Olivia and Dawson Pies, and Kate and Anna Lucas. He is also survived by his sister, Janet Patterson, of Indiana, and numerous nieces and nephews. George was the best husband, father, and grandfather. He was the best at everything he ever did. A private memorial service was held at the Holly Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 29, 2005. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor their remembrance of George kindly make a donation to the youth sports or cancer research organization of their choice.

George O. Schroeder

June 30, 1925 - March 24, 2005