Born in Evansville, Indiana (U.S.), he graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1942. Waldschmidt was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 1944, for the Congregation of Holy Cross. From 1962 to 1978, Waldschmidt served as president of the University of Portland.[3] In 1969, Waldschmidt was elected as a member of the board of trustees and as a member of the Fellows of the University of Notre Dame.[4][5][6]
On November 28, 1977, he was appointed titular bishop of Citium and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. He was consecrated on March 2, 1978. Waldschmidt resigned on January 8, 1990.[2][7]
In 1992, Waldschmidt Hall, the main administration building of the University of Portland, was named for the former president of the university.[3]
^"Fellows, Trustees and University Administration"(PDF). Notre Dame Report. Vol. '73-'74, no. 13. University of Notre Dame. October 26, 1973. p. 51. NDR-1973-10-26. Five new members of the Board of Trustees have been elected by the Fellows of the University. They are ... Rev. Paul E. Waldschmidt, C.S.C., president of the University of Portland in Oregon.