College of Business Food & Ag

Richard Schmitz ’65, namesake of the annual entrepreneurship lecture series, has a rich history in food retail.

According to Richard Schmitz himself, Christine Lantinen epitomizes the purpose of the Richard Schmitz Executive Lecture series – to provide real-world examples of entrepreneurial thinking in the food and agricultural industries.

To be successful, students can’t all pursue the same path, Schmitz said. They have to create a path that works for their individual talents and interests. That’s what he hopes students take away from the annual lectureship.

“I hope they can gain the ability to think for themselves and get into a business that suits them and drives them,” said Schmitz, a 1965 accounting and business major. Schmitz himself has spoken about his career and shared food-retailing insights over the years as part of the series, which was endowed and created by Schmitz and his wife, Mary. A few years ago the lecture became focused on food entrepreneurship, which celebrates the legacy of food and agricultural leadership demonstrated across Southern Minnesota.

Schmitz’s career in food retail began when his wife’s uncle, who owned a grocery store, took him to a buyer’s event in Minneapolis, Schmitz networked with people in the industry. The grocery business seemed fast-paced and customer-centric, which Schmitz liked. So, when the opportunity came up to buy a Red Owl grocery store in Olivia in 1973, he jumped on it.

“It’s a very active business,” said Schmitz, who lives in Woodbury, Minn., and Bonita Springs, Fla. “I just liked the interaction with the people. The great majority of the people were fun to be with, and I’ve still got lasting friendships with people I’ve met over those years.”

Schmitz bought and ran half a dozen other stores over the years in Duluth, Minn., Hudson, Wis., and Wausau, Wis., before retiring in 2003. In the meantime, he’d made a name for himself in the industry, being recognized as Business of the Year in Hudson, Wis., in 1992; serving as chairman of the Wisconsin Grocers Association; and serving as the president of the Chamber of Commerce in Olivia.

“We really focused on taking care of the customers. We provided a drive-up service for their groceries. We were friendly with people. We got to know people. We put in hard work, day in and day out,” Schmitz said. “I always wanted my employees to know you don’t have to satisfy me as an owner. You have to satisfy the customer. They’re the driving force in keeping our business alive.”

Schmitz was named a Distinguished Alumni of Minnesota State Mankato with the Harold J. Fitterer Service Award in 2002. Giving back to his alma mater has always been a priority for Schmitz, he said, including founding The Richard R. and Mary L. Schmitz Endowment for Opportunities in Food Entrepreneurship in 1999. The endowment’s purpose is to provide scholarships and support for the annual lecture series.

Schmitz has been impressed with many of the speakers over the years from food processing, retailing, wholesaling and agricultural industries.

“I’m glad the endowment creates money to make that happen every year,” he said.