Obituaries

ERICH SCHMIDT
September 26, 1927 ? July 5, 2015
Erich was a humble man who treated everyone with kindness and respect. Born in Germany in 1927, he was exposed as a child to the worst of human conduct. Yet, brought up by his grandfather on a farm away from the atrocities of war he learned by example about hard work and earning respect. He experienced how important it was to be able to provide support and security for those you love.
His work ethic, values, respect for others and unconditional love of his wife, Ursula, and daughter, Mary led to a good life in Winnipeg. Erich was an entrepreneur. As a self-employed truck driver doing city deliveries under the brand of Northern Messenger, he saw himself and his fellow drivers as contractors for the management and dispatch service provided by the owner of Northern Messenger. As Northern Messenger grew the drivers led by Erich and several others saw the need to protect their freedom and independence to serve who they each considered as ?their customers?, not the company?s customers. They did not want to be part of a traditional employee union like the Teamsters because the drivers thought like entrepreneurs. They were owner-operators of their own vehicles and built their reputations for integrity and service with the customers they served. Consequently, led by Erich and other heroic leaders they created their own union as soon as it became lawful for ?dependent contractors? to unionize. They were the first dependent contractors to unionize in Manitoba. After enduring enormous resistance they negotiated the first collective agreement for owner-operators in Manitoba.
Thanks in large measure to the wisdom, understanding, values, goodwill and earned respect by Erich from fellow drivers and company ownership, many renewal collective agreements were negotiated for the benefit of all concerned. However, the company grew large and under the leadership of a new CEO decided to bargain hard and lock-out the drivers. The drivers did not surrender any freedom or independence despite this temporary threat to their livelihoods. Rather, they claimed successfully that the freely negotiated restrictive covenants in their agreement with the company were made void by the lock-out. They then enhanced their freedom and independence by forming their own cooperative. They hired their own employees to serve as managers and dispatchers. United Messenger Cooperative was born.
Erich served his customers with dedication until he retired to devote full attention to Ursula and Mary and the apartment block he and his wife owed along with a fellow driver and his wife. Erich had invested wisely. They served with distinction as hands-on landlords and provided safe, affordable accommodations to hundreds of people over the years.
Erich lost Ursula April 10, 2013 and his daughter Mary September 7, 2013. All lived in the same home in St. James for many decades. They were very private, but always kind, helpful and respectful. They had friends who they loved and who reciprocated in the own ways. Erich loved a good party, sun tanning, gardening, dancing, his cottage and his winter vacations in Hawaii.
Erich and Ursula never forgot their German connection. They kept in contact with Horst Rose and his wife Hayriye, and Hans Krug and his wife Regina. Love was reciprocated and now includes the third generation in Germany.
Consistent with the purpose and example of the life of Erich an endowment fund has been created at The Winnipeg Foundation. Income from the ?Be the Change in Honour of Erich, Ursula and Mary Schmidt Fund? is intended to advance understanding, goodwill, peace and compassionate action locally, regionally and internationally.
All who loved Erich express their thanks for the excellent and compassionate care provided by Joyce and Gary, his family doctor, Dr. Gillian Breckman, Surgeons Kerr and Leylek and those at Grace Hospital who cared for him during his last days and in particular Dr. George and nurses Nicole and Jonathan.
Those whose lives were touched by Erich, Ursula and Mary Schmidt and wish to honour them are invited to a celebration in their honour between 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday July 15, 2015. For more information please contact ScotiaTrust at (204) 985-5117.
Wojcik?s Funeral Chapel, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB in care of arrangements 204.897.4665. For those who wish to sign Wojcik?s online Guest Book please visit our website at www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com