Yesterday I learnt of the sad news that Paul Schmidman, a friend and colleague from AOL had taken his life. Sometimes you feel you know someone really well, sometimes you feel like you know someone quite well, but in Schmidi's case, as much as I spent hours and hours with him in, in-depth discussion, I really did not know the guy. The truth is, no one did, he is an enigma. For those who knew Schmidi you know he had what could be called an "alternate" universe, where situations and stories blurred the edges of reality. The thing that we did know, he was not a malicious person, but he sure did some crazy things. Schmidi we will miss you.
Hi Mal,
ReplyDeleteHow tragic ... my heart goes out to his family. I didn't know Schmidi at AOL, don't think I ever worked with him, but am shocked just reading your entry.
Best,
Marty
Hello Malcom, Do you have any details? Will there be a service?
ReplyDeletePaul will be missed by all of us who knew him as "Felix's dad". We will take care of you boy...
ReplyDeleteWell said Malcolm. Schmidi was one of a kind. He'll be missed. A shout out to "Anonymous", let us know if Felix needs a new family. We can help place him. A final tribute to a good man.
ReplyDeleteI knew Paul for a number of years and it's truly sad to hear this news. May he be at rest
ReplyDeleteAs far s I know from the family at the moment there is no service planned. We, (family and friends) might do a memorial service in LA in a couple of weeks, if so I will post details here and on my Facebook page.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update Malcom.
ReplyDeletei am an old friend -- are there any more details?
ReplyDeleteAwww, poor Schmidi, I'm an old friend and co-worker... I would like to know if anyone knows of a service, etc.
ReplyDeleteDear Malcolm. My name is Corinna. I was living with Paul, he was more then a friend, like my brother. I am deeply sad. Unfortunately I had to return to Germany and could not be there in person. I am deeply shocked and know what he was going through. Can you please send me an email to cb@corinnabasler.com. I definitely want to come to the service. I appreciate.
ReplyDeleteCorinna
This is very sad news. Paul was indeed an enigma, but I think he was a good person with a big heart.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is in my stomach reading this. I worked briefly with Paul in 2002, but he made an enormous impression on me. He was so smart and personable and someone who was very good to me at a very bad time at our company. I have nothing but amazingly fond memories of this man and will never forget him. So so sad.
ReplyDeleteWow I'm am truly stunned and the tears are welling up.....I am/was Schmidi's hairdresser. I really can't believe it and as was posted he was a brilliant man. He will be missed & more than I can even tell you!
ReplyDeleteI love you man!
Marty
I too worked with Schmidi at AOL...I don't know how I missed this sad news. Schmidi was a sweet, gregarious man with a huge heart. I truly wish I had heard earlier - I am quite certain I missed any services that may have occurred.
ReplyDeleteRIP Schmidi.. I have known Paul for many years and worked with him since 2000. He was a great guy with a big heart. This is really shocking..
ReplyDeleteFred
Marty,
ReplyDeleteI just called Center Staging to talk with Paul about using the stage and heard about his passing. I want to throw my two cents in. I loved Paul. Fun, giving, loving guy. Definitely played in a fantasy world. He was always giving to me and I will miss him greatly.
Dan Smith
Paul was a great friend to me. We met almost 10 years ago. He made a strong impact on me and will be missed. RIP Schmidi. You were one of a kind.
ReplyDeleteI am saddened to hear that Paul Schmidman took his own life and my condolences go out to his family.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it seems none of the posters here understand why this is not shocking to those of us who really knew Paul Schmidman. I am sorry to be the one to relay this but "Schmidi's alternative reality" was actually filled with decades of malicious intent and actions.
He had a long history of being fired and narrowly evading arrest on fraud charges, embezzlement, falsifying documents, etc since the 1980's. In most cases, he perpetrated his fraud on investors/companies in the middle of an IPO or other public rollout, and the fact that such an error in judgment would have tanked the IPO or finance round forced management to sweep it under the rug when he was dismissed.
This, plus his oft-repeated threat to drag companies into court, allowed him to bounce around the globe from XAOS Tools to electrogig, to Orad, to AOL (where a lawsuit actually went public) and onward, switching countries/industries when required.
Again I am saddened by his untimely death but he willfully and severely damaged many people's careers and stole enormous sums from unsuspecting investors. I suspect that his past ghosts just finally caught up with him.
I hope Paul has finally found the peace & happiness he was incapable of in his life and that he repented for the terrible treatment he once meted out to others before he moved off this life to the next.
It is said that God looks after those incapable of it themselves and I truly pray that is the case for Paul Schmidman.
My name is Shalom Nachshon.
DeleteIf you can please get in touch with me to shalom.nachshon@gmail.com
I knew Paul from the 90's. Hired and fired hime and I know what you say.
Only now heard about his death (if at all?).
No matter what I'm sorry about it, and would love to have a word with you.
Thanks,
Shalom
That is why I divorced him...he had no respect for anyone and he swindle more people than you know!
DeleteRegardless of whether the allegations in the Anonymous post of October 25th are true is it really for anyone to say why Paul did what he did. The truth is only Paul knows and we never will.
ReplyDeleteThe man I knew was sweet and thoughtful. He found out I love Key Lime and whenever I visited him he would buy me a selection of pastry all key lime. I don't care to know anyone's opinion of why he is no longer with us. What I know is I lost a wonderful friend and I will miss him.
Does anyone think Paul Schmidman faked his death? Why were there no write ups, or service. He knew too many people, this strikes me as strange and incomplete. where was he laid to rest?
ReplyDeleteHe did fake his death more than likely...he's good at that too!
DeleteThe family really didn't want a service.
ReplyDeleteI knew Paul many years ago when we were in a relationship for a couple of years. I am truly shocked to learn of his passing.
ReplyDeleteVirginia Robinson Rolley
Dear Corina,
ReplyDeleteI am so sad for our loss. Would you please email me and let me know how Paul's state of mind was. I am extremely saddened by this news.
At the risk of sounding terriby insensitive, I'd like to know if anyone has conclusive proof that Paul passed away? This is a man with a history of cheating, lying and deception - I have seen hardcopy proof. It would just be one more great Schmidman act of deception to just disappear.
ReplyDeleteThinking of kind Paul Schmidman (Schmidi)today on the anniversary of 9/11. Paul was a true humanitarian who worked for the greater good even if he seemed shady: Remember out of the dark comes light, Where there is dark there is light. Paul was a hero. I agree 100% about the inconclusive evidence of his death at the time stated. This is a mystery. He was the man who knew too much, and everyone knew Paul. The fact that there is not a single write up and only these blogs is suspicious. Sure Paul was suffering from poor health never the less there is not any proof of his death. Fly free Paul
ReplyDeletethe last laugh, did you get it? Did you take it?
ReplyDeleteI am trying to find out if the reports of Paul's death are "greatly exaggerated". Does ANYONE know of someone who knows?
ReplyDeleteI am writing as a new Anonymous--not one that has posted here before. i knew Paul back in the 80's when we worked together in Virginia. I knew him to be very appealing, fun, adorable even, uber intelligent . . . but I am quite sure he is guilty of much of what he is charged with above. He was a very complex person. I was often not sure I could believe some things he said. Most people who scam others are extremely charming and appealing--that's how they distract attention away from their misdeeds. I just discovered this blog stream, looking for former co-workers, and I am also very sorry to hear this news about him, and to see the photo of him looking so unhealthy, and unhappy. But I remember when he was about to leave Virginia for California in the early 80's that a change had come over him, that his ego had gotten away from him. It sounds like it only got more so. I say this not to tarnish his memory, because I also have some very fond memories of Paul. But it is important to shed some light on the truth.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Shalom. I am from Israel. I hired Paul and worked with him in the late 90's. I see this page only now, 3 years after... and I wish to get in touch with someone who knows more details.
Malcolm Bird - Are you accessible somehow? Please E-Mail me to shalom.nachshon@gmail.com.
Anyone else who may have more details, please get in touch to that E-Mail address. It is highly appreciated.
Thanks,
Shalom
Happy 66th Birthday Paul.
ReplyDelete- Kevin McGrath