The Boy Scout Oath of duty to God and country was the cornerstone of Reed Schroeder's life.

As an Army combat infantryman during World War II, Mr. Schroeder was wounded during the invasion of Normandy.

"My father lost an eye in that battle, but he never let any adversity keep him from achieving his goals," said his son, J. Howison Schroeder of Sewickley, president and CEO of Neuro Kinetics Inc. "Dad often said he did his duty for his country and was ready to take on the next challenge."

A. Reed Schroeder of Sewickley Heights, president and co-founder of Schroeder Industries in Leetsdale, died on Friday, March 25, 2011, in Sewickley Valley Hospital. He was 88.

Mr. Schroeder was a strict disciplinarian, but a kind and understanding father who encouraged his sons to become Boy Scouts and acolytes in St. Stephen Episcopal Church in Sewickley, where Mr. Schroeder served as a Boy Scout leader, his son said.

He and his wife, Ann, whom he married in 1951, attended services at St. Stephen. In later years, they became members of the Grace Church of Sewickley.

Like her husband, Ann Schroeder was committed to the arts and was a member of the Women's Committee of the Carnegie Art Museum, where she was involved with the annual Christmas trees display.

In 1945, after his discharge from the military, Mr. Schroeder completed his education at Trinity College and was employed by Farmers Bank, before joining two of his brothers in forming Schroeder Brothers Corp. Inc., a manufacturer of coal mining and hydraulic filtration products. It later became Schroeder Industries.

Born and raised in Sewickley, Reed Schroeder was one of four sons of banker Frank C. Schroeder and his wife, Jean Slack Schroeder.

Through the years, his pride in his hometown never waned. John C. Oliver III, mayor of Sewickley Heights, recalled how Mr. Schroeder, along with Whitney Snyder, created the Sewickley Heights Historical Architectural Review Board in the early 1980s. The board reviewed all projects, including building developments, to preserve the borough's rural open spaces and its historically significant qualities.

"Dad also had a code of honor, which he applied to the men and women who worked for him," Howison Schroeder said. "He treated them like family. Dad also understood the importance of a paycheck to his employees and their families and made sure they were paid accordingly."

He recalled how his father's code of honor applied to his brother and himself.

"We had an agreement with Dad that we had to be in at a certain time at night," his son said. "If we were to be late, we were required to call. One night, I came in late and didn't call. He was waiting for me. I was never late again."

In addition to his son Howison, Mr. Schroeder is survived by his wife, Ann Howison Williams Schroeder; another son, A. Reed Schroeder Jr., president of the Schroeder Group of Cincinnati; and five grandchildren, Alfred, Jesse, Elizabeth, Lydia and John Jr.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Frank Canfield Schroeder Jr., William Emerson Schroeder and John Slack Schroeder.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. April 9 in Grace Church in Sewickley. Arrangements are being handled by Copeland Funeral Home of Sewickley.

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