Longtime resident, volunteer, ice cream maker
Norman B. Schmidt, age 90, who ran an ice cream business in Harvard for many years, died Nov. 9, 2008. Born in Clinton on Aug. 25, 1918, he was the son of the late Bernard and Greta A. (Smith) Schmidt. He attended grammar school in Clinton and graduated from high school in Worcester. While attending Clark University, he applied to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He completed his degree at Northeastern University and also earned a law degree there. He worked his way up to the position of special agent and was assigned to the FBI’s Boston office, where he met “Buddy” who became his wife of 60 years. Norman served in offices in Washington, D.C., Detroit, and Cincinnati.
Norman left the FBI to join the family business, helping his father build the Cream Crock restaurant in Lancaster. They manufactured their own ice cream and it became so popular they sold the restaurant and established the ice cream business in Harvard, where they purchased property and built homes. They continued making ice cream, setting up a continuous freezer operation, and ultimately became a wholesale distribution center. Norman and Buddy operated their business together until their retirement in 1998.
Norman was always interested in his community. He helped start Little League baseball in Harvard and was a supporter of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts USA. He taught fingerprinting to new police officers and assisted the Police Department whenever possible. He was a charter member of the Harvard Lions Club International and a member of the Congregational Church of Harvard, UCC. He rejoined the FBI as a member of their Ex-Agents Society at age 80 and assisted in routine investigations. His life was a useful and productive one, and he will be sorely missed.
Norman is survived by his wife Alice (Blake) Schmidt of Harvard, his son Jonathan B. and daughter-in-law Priscilla Schmidt of Oregon, his daughter Martha and son-in-law Philip Koffman of Arizona, and one granddaughter, Joanna. He was predeceased by his grandson, Jeffrey. A funeral service was held yesterday at the Evangelical Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements by the Badger Funeral Home in Littleton.
