PORT ANGELES — Sporting his signature black cowboy hat, Jace Schmitz clutched his Realtor Emeritus award Thursday and thanked the 40 people who showed up to see him receive it.
Schmitz, who owns Jace the Real Estate Company in Port Angeles, became one of only 11 Realtors in the state to achieve emeritus status with the Washington Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors.
He was recognized Thursday morning in an informal ceremony at his First Street office building.
‘Touches me greatly’
“It touches me greatly,” said Schmitz, 63, after the ceremony.
“It’s obviously nice to be one of the few, no matter what that is. I’m blessed anyway.
“I always knew what I wanted to do.”
The Realtor Emeritus award is reserved for Realtors who have been in the business for 40 years or longer, said Bill Riley, president of the Washington Association of Realtors, who presented the award.
“It’s huge,” he said.
Statewide executives
Riley traveled to the ceremony with Washington Realtors CEO Steve Francks and President-elect Phil Harlan.
“Can you imagine how many people got a set of keys to their home because of this man right here?” Riley asked.
“It’s amazing.”
Inspired by an uncle, Schmitz knew he wanted to work in real estate from a young age.
After earning degrees in real estate and finance, Schmitz started his career in 1970 selling land in La Jolla, Calif., a seaside resort suburb of San Diego.
‘Not retiring type’
In 1986, Schmitz moved to a 40-acre farm in Eden Valley to retire, or so he thought.
“I’m not the retiring type,” he said. “I just had too much energy, and I love what I do.”
During the award presentation, Schmitz thanked his wife, Eileen Schmitz, who is also a Realtor.
Jace Schmitz said his wife is responsible for his long career.
“She’s actually responsible for me being here today,” Schmitz added.
Undisclosed injury
About year ago, an undisclosed injury nearly cost him his life.
“They had a death watch on me for two days,” he said. “They didn’t think I was going to make it.”
Doctors said they had never seen someone with such strong a will to live, he recalled.
Schmitz is working from home as he recovers. He requires lots of rest, but moves on his own power.
“I have appreciated the incredible support,” he said.
“I didn’t realize that people could be so kind, caring and considerate. I know that there were a number of groups, prayer groups and churches of different denominations, that prayed for me.
“And I appreciate that.”
Meals were left on the couple’s doorstep during their ordeal.
“Eileen had a lot of help, and she needed it,” her husband recalled.
“It’s wonderful community I work in, and a wonderful community I live in.”
Eileen Schmitz presented her husband with the Realtor Emeritus pin.
“People have been really supportive,” Eileen Schmitz said.
“It’s meant so much to us.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.