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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend March 6, 2007 Medford native was 'incredible friend' Young man's positive identification provides closure for his friends, family CORVALLIS — Friends remembered Oregon State student Jeffrey Schmidt, whose body was found after being missing and presumed dead for months, as an "incredible friend." State police medical examiners used dental records to identify the body of the Oregon State University student who was missing since November. Schmidt, 22, of Medford, was found Thursday in the North Umpqua River and identified Saturday night. Near campus, the news was met with mixed reaction at Lambda Chi Alpha, where Schmidt was a member. "It reopens the wounds that have taken time to heal and close," said fraternity president Kyle Shultz. But the news provided closure for his family and for the Oregon State frat, he added. Advertisement "We can finally put this to rest," Schultz said. "We always held out hope, because Jeff was like Superman to us." Schmidt, a geography major, was in the Marine ROTC, played lacrosse for the university club team and was an officer in his fraternity. He and his girlfriend Quinn Do Truong, 20, a member of Delta Gamma sorority, were last seen Nov. 19, when they started driving back along Highway 138 from a Greek weekend event they had attended at Diamond Lake. They were reported missing Nov. 20. Truong's body was recovered Nov. 21 from Schmidt's Jeep Wrangler, which authorities said apparently plunged over a steep embankment and crashed into the rain-swollen North Umpqua River near milepost 48. Schmidt's body was found a mile away. The fraternity members say they and the Schmidt family have helped support each other through the troubling period of grief. "Jeff was an absolutely incredible guy. A lot of people hear what happened and assume he was irresponsible. But Jeff was one of the best guys I've ever met," Shultz said. "I can say that with my whole heart." Schmidt's family in Medford could not be immediately contacted for comment. But his parents, Priscilla and Jonathan Schmidt, and his sister, Joanna Schmidt, have established a private memorial fund at Washington Mutual Bank, with proceeds to benefit the sheriff's search and rescue teams in Douglas and Jackson counties. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary