Richard ( Dick ) Schmidt passed away Saturday, July 18th, at the age of 81.
PFS Corporation
Viking Carrier
Mariotti Building Products
He was a modular builder in Connecticut before coming to Pennsylvania and buyng Excel Homes in the 80’s.
He took a struggling nearly bankrupt Excel and turned into one of the most successful companies in out area. They produced up to 48 line moves a week for years before selling to Ed Langley due to health issues.
His drive for a quality home was relentless, he would walk the assembly line with a level and the sledge hammer…..and if the wall was not plumb….watch out….yes he was military old school, but you respected it extremely fast. And the builder’s appreciated a great finished product.
Dick later started and ran MODTRANS trucking company which is still successful and used by many companies today. He also started Probuilt Homes, which was also very successful until the market crash. Dick’s “coaching tree” can still be felt and helped shaped the future industry with the likes of Delma Shaeffer, Andrew Strocko, Greg Strawser, the Megna Family, etc…too many to name.
Dick also championed accessible housing and had the 1st modular handicap model at the Excel facility for many years.
His true love of this industry and the manufacturing side were well known.
Please send condolences to his son-in-law, Mike Kirby at mikeki@sbsmod.com
One Response
Sorry to hear of his passing. Even after all the years, many of the lessons he taught still remain. Lots of stories between Dick and myself, some even funny!