Schaudt, Harry William
Age 89, of Villa Park, Illinois passed away from heart failure and complications from Alzheimer’s disease on September 22, 2016 at Lexington Square, Lombard. Harry was the loving father of Eric, James and Peter Schaudt; his loving wife, Jean ( nee Lindsay) Schaudt; and beloved son, Peter Lindsay Schaudt, preceded him in death; his sister, Sally ( John) Frei; sister- in- law Betty ( nee Lindsay) Parkhurst; and brother- in- law, Donald Parkhurst, also preceded Harry in death.
Mr. Schaudt was born on March 25, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Harry Benjamin Schaudt and Velma ( nee Orr) Schaudt. He grew up in Chicago and graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1944. Harry joined the Army after high school and proudly served in the World War Two Era. He spent the first part of his service attending several universities to learn the Japanese language. Harry then spent time in occupied Japan as an interpreter for the military. Upon his return from Japan, he took advantage of the G. I. Bill to attend Northwestern University in Evanston. In 1950, he graduated with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Journalism. It was at college where Harry met his future wife, Jean Marie Lindsay, who also graduated with a Journalism degree. The couple married on March 29, 1951, at the Hilton Chapel in Chicago.
Harry’s professional career in the newspaper business began with a reporter’s job at the South Bend Tribune in South Bend, Indiana. Harry and Jean welcomed their first- born son, Eric, while living there. Mr. Schaudt’s next career move took him to San Diego, California, to work as a writer on the copy desk for the San Diego Union. James, their second son, was born while living in California. After a few years, Harry was able to move back to Illinois when he was hired by the Chicago Daily News to work on the copy desk. Harry and his family moved to Villa Park, Illinois in 1957, where they would live until 2008. The couple’s third born, Peter, arrived soon after the move. Harry remained an employee with the Chicago Daily News and the Chicago Sun- Times until his retirement in the late1980s. He was a copywriter and editor during his tenure. He briefly worked as a negotiator for management, but soon returned to his first love, newspaper work. Harry was also a proud member of the Writer’s Guild during his career.
Mr. Schaudt was an involved and important volunteer in the Villa Park community. Some of his volunteering activities included being a Cub and Boy Scout leader, coach and league official for the Villa Park Boys Baseball association, stage construction with the College of DuPage theater department and adult literacy instructor. Harry also enjoyed reading to students at Ardmore School, in the school two of his grandchildren attended. Mr. Schaudt also served on the Villa Park District 45 School Board, with a stint as Board President, from 1968- 1976.
Some of Harry’s interests included working on cars, frequenting the public library, reading and performing at local theater groups, listening to classical music and operas and enjoying an occasional cigar with his sons. He was also a huge Cubs fan and enjoyed yelling at the TV during Bears’ games!
Mr. Schaudt is survived by his sons, Eric ( Karen) Schaudt and James ( Barbara) Schaudt; and daughter- in- law, Janet ( Peter) Schaudt; Harry is also survived by eight grandchildren, Julie ( James) Christie, Erica ( Matt) Ballard, Jonathan, Abby and Christian ( Del) Schaudt, Clark Comstock, Elaine and Elliot Schaudt; and six great- grandchildren. There will be a memorial program in the near future, however, no date has been set.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Harry’s name can be sent to Alzheimer research foundations, the theater department at College of DuPage or the Villa Park Public Library.