Family of fallen Marine start TCU professorship

Family of fallen Marine from San Antonio creating professorship of history at TCU in his honor

Published On: Oct 05 2012 09:51:45 AM CDT
SAN ANTONIO -

The family of a Marine from San Antonio killed in Afghanistan is creating an endowed professorship at Fort Worth's Texas Christian University to honor his love of history.

Lance Cpl. Benjamin Whetstone Schmidt, who died by friendly fire during combat last year at the age of 24, dreamed of earning his doctorate in history from TCU and becoming a professor.

So his father, David Schmidt, who is the San Antonio Spurs' team doctor, and his father's wife Teresa are giving $100,000 to the school to create the Lance Cpl. Benjamin Whetstone Schmidt Endowed Professorship in History.

The San Antonio Express-News reports the couple plan to raise a total of $1 million for the professorship.

David Schmidt says his son went to TCU for three semesters before joining the Marines.

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