Dr. Wayne E. Schmidt, professor of practical theology and seminary carillonneur at Concordia Seminary since 1975, died suddenly on Tuesday, June 6. He was 73 years old.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, at Kriegshauser Mortuary West, 9450 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 9, in The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus on the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, campus.

Schmidt was born April 10, 1927, in Fond du Lac, Wisc. He received a teaching diploma in 1948 from Dr. Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., a bachelor of arts degree in 1952 from Northwestern College, Watertown, Wisc., and a theological diploma in 1955 from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wisc. He received an M.S. (1960), a M.Mus. degree (1973), and a Ph.D. (1968) from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

In addition to being a professor at Concordia Seminary, Schmidt was the chairman of the department of practical theology from 1985-95, acting director of graduate studies from 1983-84 and the director of graduate studies from 1988-96. He was interim academic dean from 1993-94. He also was the chapel organist for numerous worship services on the Seminary campus.

Prior to coming to Concordia Seminary, Schmidt was an instructor at Dr. Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn. (1948-50); pastor, Our Savior-St. Paul, Lena/Oconto Falls, Wisc. (1955-57); administrator of Luther High School, Onalaska, Wisc. (1957-71); pulpit assistant, First Lutheran Church,La Crosse, Wisc. (1963-71); campus pastor at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, Wisc. (1966-69); and campus pastor at the University of Wisconsin, Lutheran Chapel, Madison, Wisc. (1971-75).

Schmidt was a member of the Lutheran Education Association, Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, Guild of Carillonneurs of North America and American Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.

Among the survivors are his wife, Bonnie (nee Roeming) of St. Louis; a son, Jonathan (Deborah) Schmidt; daughter, Tara (Chris) Copeland); mother, Edna Schmidt; and a sister, Carol Henke.

Memorials may be sent to Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105.