Henry Schmitz, 1952-58

Born on March 25, 1892 in Seattle, Washington. Schmitz graduated from in University of Washington with honors in 1915 with a degree in forestry. He went on to earn a Masters in Botany from the University of Washington in 1916. He served in World War I and in 1919 received his Doctorate in Botany for Washington University in St. Louis. Before coming to the University of Washington he taught forestry from 1919 to 1925 at the University of Idaho and served as Chief of the Division of Forestry of the University of Minnesota. In 1944 Schmitz was named Dean of Agriculture, Forestry, Home Economics, and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Washington. In 1952 he became President of the University of Washington. He retired as President in 1958. Schmitz also served as Director of the University of Washington’s Council of Gifts, Trusts, and Bequests until 1962. He drowned in Dungeness Bay January 30, 1965 at the age of 72.