Mark Schmitz:
CLASS OF 1979
Brown Deer High SchoolClass of 1979
Brown deer, WI
Mark's Story
First let me clear up the confusion I know some of you may have in your mind. Who is Mark Schmitz, right? Mark Schmitz is Mark Schubert. A number of years ago, I changed my last name to that of my partner at the time. We had a union ceremony in our church, and it just seemed easier for us to be in life with the same last name. That really did turn out to be the case during the eleven years he and I were together. We traveled extensively around the world, and amazingly, even customs officials, both here and abroad, treated us as one family unit. Visitation during hospitalizations was easier too. Something about that common last name that made otherwise bias and discrimination go right out the door.
Sadly, I'm no longer in a committed relationship with that partner, but we remain close friends and still share the the Schmitz name. There was so much to change - legally, financially, etc. when I changed my name, that the thought of going through it all to change my name back, doesn't seem worth it.
I remained in the Milwaukee area until 1994 when I sold my business, Employee Benefit Resources to my largest competitor who happened to be in Scottsdale, AZ. I always wanted to escape Wisconsin's harsh weather and make my home in Arizona. I had owned EBR for 15 years and was ready to make a change. With 24 employees, more than 100 independent contract workers, and a business model which kept me on an airplane five days every week, I was ready for a change. The opportunity presented itself, and couldn't have been planned more perfectly. The new entity needed me, along with a few key employees to stay on for a period of time to help with the transition. They were eager to relocate us to Phoenix quickly after the sale.
I knew the Phoenix area well, as I had maintained a sattelite office for many years in central Phoenix. Finding a home, getting settled was easy. The difficulty was in leaving family and friends in Milwaukee. My son, adopted son, Nathan was unable to join me. My mother was diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer. It seemed like the a...Expand for more
bsolute worst time to move so many miles away.
Things always have a way of working themselves out over time. I was able to bring my parents to Phoenix a number of times to visit before my mother became too ill. We made trips to Sedona, AZ in hopes that the purported healing vortex energy would have some positive effect on her cancer. Those were some of our best times, ever.
Since my mother's death nine years ago, I haven't returned to Milwaukee. So much has changed in my life. I've faced a great deal of challenge, but like to think that I have survived it all well; thrived even perhaps. If anyone really cares to know exactly what has occurred in my life, or wishes to know more about the man I am today, I would suggest spending time reading my blogs on Wordpress.com. Unfortunately, I can't post the link do to Classmates rules, but my ID on Wordpress is christophersmark.
At the present time, I am a freelance writer and avid blogger. I write short stories for children, poetry, and blog about all things spiritual, personal growth, chemical dependency, mental health issues and relationships - gay or straight.
I am in a relationship of nearly five years with my partner, Christopher. He and I have raised a dear friend's grandson, Deshawn (who will always insist on calling us "his two dad's). We have three dogs, three cats (one of whom was born on October 21, 1979! Yes, I have a cat that is as many years old, as I have been out of high school! We also have an Amazon Parrot.
Phoenix is an enjoyable place to live for the most part. But I must admit, I miss weather! I long for the change of seasons, and most of all, I miss being around my family. I'm hopeful that I will be able to attend our reunion; not having been to one yet. I miss Wisconsin. I miss Brown Deer, and I'm eager to see just how much things have changed in the years since I've been gone. I'm eager to see the changed faces of my former classmates as well. I hope that each of you has had a life filled with happiness, success and health. Best wishes until I see you all in July.
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