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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide 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 December 20, 2006 Jeffrey Schmidt Family of missing college student thanks rescue teams Jeffrey Schmidt's parents and sister have opened a benevolent fund to benefit SAR teams By anita burke Mail Tribune Searchers haven't yet found the body of Jeffrey Schmidt, an Oregon State University student from Medford whose Jeep plunged into the North Umpqua River last month, but his family is reaching out to thank the search teams. Schmidt's parents, Priscilla and Jonathan Schmidt, and his older sister, Joanna Schmidt, have established a private benevolent fund at Washington Mutual Bank in Jeffrey Schmidt's memory. The family plans to distribute the money to sheriff's search and rescue teams in Douglas and Jackson counties. "They were great helping the family get through this," said Joanna Schmidt, who lives in Portland. "They did so much for us. We wanted to do something for them." Friends reported Jeffrey Schmidt and his girlfriend, Quinn Do Truong, 20, of Tigard, missing in Corvallis Nov. 20 after they failed to return from a fraternity and sorority event at Diamond Lake Lodge over the weekend. Schmidt was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and Truong belonged to Delta Gamma sorority. Although they were traveling in a group of vehicles, no one noticed Schmidt's tan and red 1997 Jeep Wrangler plunge off Highway 138E. Oregon State Police and Douglas County sheriff's deputies spotted skid marks and broken branches in mile 48 on Nov. 21. The ensuing search led to the recovery of the Jeep and Truong's body, but searchers said Schmidt had apparently been swept downstream. Advertisement Teams continued the search for him from rafts, helicopters and the bank through the end of November. They said they would resume the search if new tips were received or weather and water conditions changed. "The weather there can be really bad and the river is high in the winter," Joanna Schmidt said. In the early days of the search, a diver was injured by a rock tumbling through the engorged current. "Seeing the amazing efforts of the search and rescue crews brought comfort to the family," she wrote in a press release about the memorial fund. "They will never forget the determination and compassion displayed by such brave individuals." Reached Tuesday by telephone in Portland, Joanna Schmidt said her brother, who had turned 22 just three days before the crash, could make people laugh and feel like they mattered. "He was a good guy and he was a great son to my parents," she said. The family moved a lot as part of Jonathan Schmidt's military career before settling in Medford when he retired. Joanna Schmidt said her grandmother, Eve Blum, is a longtime resident of the Rogue Valley and the family wanted to be near relatives. Although Jeffrey and Joanna had typical sibling clashes, they also relied on one another during the many moves, she said. Jeffrey Schmidt attended Hedrick Middle School and graduated from South Medford High School in 2003. He was active in Young Marines during that time. At OSU he played lacrosse, was part of ROTC, and was an officer in his fraternity. He was a senior, majoring in geography. People can donate to the Jeffrey Schmidt Fund at any Washington Mutual branch. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] . 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 Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com