Carl J. Schlemmer

Former GE Transportation leader Carl Schlemmer died on October 14, 2010, after a long illness.

Carl Schlemmer was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Jessie and Norman C. Schlemmer, and had two brothers, the late Norman and Robert Schlemmer.  After the passing of his father, he lived with his family in Greensburg, Indiana, the Panama Canal Zone and Indianapolis, Indiana.

He served in the United States Army Air Corps on Tinian Island in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.  He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for exemplary bravery in freeing a live fused bomb from an open bomb bay, allowing the plane to complete its mission.  He also received the Air Medal for the longest air mission in World War II.

Schlemmer joined General Electric Company in 1951 after graduating from Purdue University, where he received a degree in mechanical engineering.  He held a number of positions at General Electric including General Manager of the Transportation Systems Business Operations in Erie, Pennsylvania, and was elected a Vice President of the General Electric Company in 1975.  He ran General Electric's locomotive business from 1974 to 1989.  During his tenure, Schlemmer oversaw a $500 million modernization program.  GE became the industry leader and this led to the development of the Dash 8 locomotive.

He received an honorary Doctoral Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana and an additional honorary Doctorate in Law from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Schlemmer did extensive community service, including serving as Chairman of the United Way in Erie County and helping to establish the John F. Kennedy Center in Erie.  He supported Christian Science churches in several communities in a number of volunteer positions.  Schlemmer had a lifelong interest in art and was an avid sailor.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Alyea Schlemmer; his daughter, Carla Schlemmer Stillman and her husband, William Stillman; his granddaughter, Lauren Stillman Nofsinger and her husband Robert Nofsinger; his grandson, Mark Everett Stillman.

A private family memorial and interment will take place in Greensburg, Indiana.  Anyone who would like to honor the memory of Carl Schlemmer may send contributions to the United Way of Erie County, Pennsylvania.