James Schindler

James H. Schindler, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away in March of 2026 at the age of 88. He grew up on the family farm in Alpine Township and was the only child of the late Karl A. and Carol A. (Greiner) Schindler. At the age of five, he was enrolled in Beech Grove Elementary School, an old one-room schoolhouse without any running water. He was one of the third generation in his family to attend this small country school. During his high school years, he attended Grand Rapids Union High School where he graduated with honors and was awarded an academic scholarship to study engineering at the University of Michigan. While at the University of Michigan, he earned a degree in chemical engineering and a second degree in metallurgical engineering. James’ professional resume included obtaining a government secret clearance for research and processing of vacuum melted high temperature resistant alloys to use in jet and rocket engine components for the General Electric Specialty Alloys group in Detroit. Subsequently, he was recruited for a Senior Research Engineering position at the Vickers Division of the Sperry Rand Corporation in Troy, Michigan. While there, he was again issued a government secret clearance. His assignment involved developing special high temperature resistant materials and coatings for use in the Apollo 11 space mission which landed the first men on the moon. Several years later, he joined the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan as a Product Design Engineer. During his time in the Detroit area, he served for 13 years on the Executive Society of Directors for the Detroit Chapter of the American Society for Metals. James was also a member of the University of Michigan John Monteith Legacy Society and held life memberships to the Engineering Society of Detroit and the NRA. In 1997, he took an early retirement from his engineering career returning to Grand Rapids to undertake a land development project and to design and build his new home. In 2013, James established Schindler Enterprises LLC., a production company devoted to bringing talented young musicians from out of state and abroad to perform in Grand Rapids. He was a staunch supporter of the performing arts and provided numerous scholarships to students in the Grand Rapids area. He was also an avid traveler having visited more than 25 different countries in four continents as well as all 50 states. He is survived by numerous cousins and friends throughout the United States and Europe. According to Jim’s wishes, cremation has taken place with burial to take place at Marne Cemetery at a later date. Memorial visitation will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, from 1-3 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW.