The Valparaiso University Department of Athletics is saddened to share the news that Paul Schrage '57, a tremendous supporter, fan and friend of Valpo Athletics, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at the age of 90.
 
A Celebration of Life service and reception will be held on Feb. 25, 2026 at 1 p.m. local time at Desert Foothills Lutheran Church, 29305 N Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85266. The service will be simulcast at https://www.youtube.com/live/YU1o617c9yY.
 
Life-long generosity from Paul and his wife Jan Sievers '59 Schrage has made a long-lasting impact on the Valpo men's basketball program. The couple recently committed $1 million to establish the Paul D. and Janet C. Schrage Basketball Excellence Fund, which provides resources to the program's greatest areas of need, such as team travel, nutrition and new student-athlete benefits.
 
That generous gift continued a lifetime of the Schrage family making a transformational impact on the University, athletic department and men's basketball program. Since developing a close friendship with legendary Valpo men's basketball head coach Homer Drew, the Schrages have provided philanthropic support that has benefited every men's basketball coach and student-athlete who has donned the brown and gold.
 
Longtime benefactors to the University and ardent supporters of the basketball program, the Schrages funded the Schrage Basketball Wing addition to the Athletics-Recreation Center, which houses the men's and women's basketball offices. Along with the gift to construct the addition, they established an endowment to provide ongoing support for the facility on an annual basis.
 
Schrage earned a bachelor of arts in business administration from Valparaiso University, a master of science in advertising from the University of Illinois and an honorary juris doctor from Valpo. He served on the Valparaiso University Board of Directors from 1996-2004 and from 2009-2015. His 30-year career with the McDonald's Corporation began in 1967 when Ray Kroc hired him to start the marketing department. By the time he retired in 1997 as a senior executive vice president and chief marketing officer of McDonald's Corporation and member of its board of directors, he had made McDonald's one of the most powerful brands in the world. In recognition of his career, Schrage was inducted into the American Advertising Hall of Fame in 1997. He was also a lifetime trustee and former chair of the Ronald McDonald House Charities Board of Directors.
 
His full obituary can be found below.
 
Paul D. Schrage passed away peacefully at home in Tempe, Arizona, on January 28, 2026 at the age of 90. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, visionary marketer and philanthropist.
 
Paul was born on February 25,1935 in Chicago, IL and raised in Palatine, IL by William and Rose Schrage. He graduated from Palatine High School as a three-sport athlete, earning all-conference honors in football, basketball and baseball. He attended Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana, where he played baseball, earned a BA in business and met and married the love of his life, Janet Sievers.
 
His first job at Yellow Pages sparked his interest in advertising. After completing his Masters in Advertising at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana the couple moved to Chicago. There, Paul worked at Young & Rubicam Advertising Agency and D'Arcy Advertising on major accounts, including Quaker Oats, Standard Oil, Anheuser-Busch and McDonald's Corporation. In 1967, McDonald's Founder Ray Kroc hired him to develop and lead McDonald's first marketing department. Paul retired 30 years later as McDonald's Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Global Marketing Officer and member of the board of directors. He also made McDonald's one of the top brands in the world.
 
During his extraordinary career at McDonald's, he led the development of the current McDonald's Golden Arch logo, Happy Meals, Monopoly, Value Meals, the introduction of a national Ronald McDonald, Playlands and promotions like Beanie Babies. Popular ads like "You deserve a break today," We do it all for you," and "Two all beef patties special sauce lettuce cheese pickles onions on a sesame seed bun" captured attention. He was a pioneer in cross-promotion, forming marketing alliances with the Olympics, World Cup Soccer, the NFL, NBA, NASCAR and Disney. His achievements led to industry recognition including the 1982 and 1992 American Marketing Association Achievement Award, 1988 Advertising Man of the Year Award, and in 1997 election to the American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame.
 
Paul believed in supporting local communities. He encouraged McDonald's franchisees to get involved by sponsoring local events and sports youth teams. Ronald McDonald Houses, which provides housing for families of hospitalized children, was another way to give back. He proudly served as Chairman of the Board of trustees for Ronald McDonald House Charities both during and after retirement.
 
Outside of McDonald's he received Valparaiso University's Hall of Honor in 1985 and Honorary Doctor of Law in 1996. He was also honored with University of Illinois' Alumni Achievement Award in 2003.
 
Paul was an avid golfer, active in the gym, and a dedicated Chicago sports fan with Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears season tickets. He took great joy in family gatherings, time with friends, and traveling the world with Jan. The couple shared time in Scottsdale and Chicago before moving to Tempe, AZ. His zest for life, devotion to his faith and church, and unwavering love of family and friends will be missed.
 
Paul is survived by his beloved wife Jan, sons Paul Jr. "Buzz" (Diane) and Gordon (Kathy), and his treasured grandchildren, Kelsey, Lauren, Evan, Garrett (Rachel) and Carson.
 
A Celebration of Life service and reception for Paul will be held on February 25, 2026 at 1 pm at Desert Foothills Lutheran Church, 29305 N Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85266. The service will be simulcast at https://www.youtube.com/live/YU1o617c9yY