Roderick Louis (Lou) Schmidt

Lou Schmidt passed away on December 20, 2019 at the age of 87 years in his home at Brock Fahrni in Vancouver. Born in Island Falls (Sandy Bay), Saskatchewan on June 25, 1932 by parents Margaret "Maggie" (née Morin) and Joseph Pantaléon Schmidt. He is survived by his 3 daughters: Louisa Cromar, Laura (Rick) Matthews, and Lee Schmidt. He is also survived by grandchildren Evan, Jennifer and Chad Cromar, Chloe and Jaylene Matthews; great grandson Scotty Lambert; siblings Joseph Schmidt, Henry Cook, Madeline Mousseau and June Bernard; his son Chris Ratt, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Lisa.

The family moved to Flin Flon, Manitoba in 1941 where Lou was active in sports, especially boxing, hockey and swimming, in which he excelled and coached others.

At the age of 21, Lou left his job as a brakeman conductor with HBMS to enlist in 1954. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy for 10 years (5 years active, 5 years emergency) on ships including the HMCS Crescent and Stettler, in 1958 on the Second Canadian Escort Squadron. He competed in the 1954 British Empire Trials in boxing, receiving the Welterweight title. He was honourably released from the Navy in 1964 with the rank of Leading Seaman (LSRP1).

Lou was a bar manager and bartender by profession, a Unite Here Local 40 member, a Commissionaire at Lion's Gate Hospital, and resident building manager for Vancouver Native Housing Elders' building. He will be remembered for his service with the National Aboriginal Veteran's Association, serving as B.C.'s Aboriginal Director and Padre, strengthening connections with the Chinese Canadian Veterans and receiving the Golden Jubilee Medal in Ottawa in 2002. He served on the Board of Directors of the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society and volunteered with the Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Services Community Council Forums where he "brought his great gifts of kindness, wisdom, sense of humour, and his wonderful smile to each forum." He was a member of the Our Elders Speak Wisdom Group and received the Vancouver City Award of Excellence for his community service. He was a member of the Vancouver Odd Fellows in his later years.