The News Guard, Lincoln City, OR March 16, 2005

Benjamin F. Schaad


Benjamin F. Schaad, 82, of McMinnville, died Sunday, March 6, 2005, in his home, following a courageous 16-year battle with prostrate cancer, and a more recent brain tumor.

He was born June 2, 1922, in Newberg, the youngest son of August Schaad and Anna Fredericka Bartruff Schaad. His early education was provided in Rex Hill Elementary School with a cohort of five other students. He graduated from Newberg High School and received both baccalaureate and master's degrees from Willamette University. He also served in the U.S. Navy.

Throughout his education he was a stellar baseball catcher and outfielder. He saw the ball well, and was known for "big dingers." His passion for the game remained throughout his life.

Mr. Schaad was married to Hazel Marceil Pearson on Feb. 17, 1946, in Newberg. They remained together until her death in 1985. Having married the love of his life, he never remarried.

Mr. Schaad was a dedicated educator and taught biology in the towns of Taft, Newberg, Dayton and McMinnville. He coached football, basketball and baseball and served as the athletic director of McMinnville High School for 12 years until his retirement in 1984.

Despite his deep involvement in the education of young men and women, he was equally passionate about his farm and the salmonids of the Oregon coast. Long before the term ‘streamkeeper' found common usage, Mr. Schaad was the streamkeeper of Drift Creek.

With a substantial knowledge of biology and a watchful eye that rarely missed detail, he fought long and hard with both the U.S. Forest Service and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on their management of Drift Creek.

Mr. Schaad was baptized a Methodist in 1922 and his Christian faith formed the core of his personal values. He was active in the McMinnville United Methodist Church from 1959 until his death, and served on nearly every important committee within the church.

Mr. Schaad is survived by a daughter, Karen Spear of Newberg; a son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Judy Schaad of Seattle; and two grandsons, Forrest and Garrett, also of Seattle. He is also survived by two sisters, Hattie Stang of Newberg, and Miriam Hausch of Portland; and two brothers, Clarence and Wesley Schaad, both of Portland.

Preceding him in death were two brothers, Clarence and Wesley Schaad.

Funeral services were held Saturday, March 12, at the United Methodist Church in McMinnville, Pastor Steve Ross presiding, with private interment at Evergreen Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Mace & Sons Funeral Directors of handled the arrangements.