Robert Earle Schmidt

May 1, 1925 – July 18, 2024

Robert was born May 1, 1925, in Fresno, California. The first child of Dr. Elmer J. and Mrs. Minnie Schmidt. He had one younger sister, Millie.

Robert, also known as Bob, spent his childhood growing up during the great depression in Fresno. He attended Roosevelt High School where he made lifelong friends that he remained in contact with until his passing. He attended every high school reunion until they discontinued them after the 70th. He had a passion for playing sports in school including golf, baseball and running track.

Bob was drafted and served in the Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater (Leyte, Mindanao and Cebu Philippines) from 1944-1946. Immediately at the end of the war he was stationed in Japan, including Hakadate, Sapporo, and Tokyo. After his active service he remained in the Army Reserves for 20 years retiring as a Master Sergeant.

After the war, Bob returned to Fresno to resume college at Fresno State University. During that time he met Shirley Sparkes who was a member of Phi Mu sorority and he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. Together they graduated from Fresno State, Bob with a BS in Biology, and Shirley a BS in Zoology. They started their life together with their wedding on February 3, 1951. After graduation and their wedding, Bob started graduate school at the University of California Berkley. Bob then began his work journey that lasted until age 70. His first job was at Richmond Hospital in California as a Laboratory Technician. Soon after Bob and Shirley started a family while living in El Cerrito, California where Daynard and Donna were born.

In 1966, Bob and Shirley moved the family to Bellevue, Washington. Bob’s career continued in the medical field. He worked at multiple hospitals from Tacoma to Seattle. His final career stop was at the Veterans Hospital in Seattle, as a Medical Technologist where he worked for 20 years, making several good friends who lovingly nick named him, “Bullett.” He was known as being extremely hard working, principled, considerate, and a fine man. He would regularly work extra shifts when they were short-handed, and only missed one day of work in his 20 years with the VA. Bob finally retired at age 70. During those years and after retirement, attending Husky football games became a family activity. Saturdays at Husky stadium lasted for 40 years. The Seattle Sounders at Memorial Stadium were a favorite, as were the Mariners with trips to the Kingdom and Safeco field for 20 years.

Bob loved to travel, including trips to Hawaii, and road trips back to Fresno, Lake Tahoe, and the Oregon coast. Later in life he was introduced to cruising, which he loved. He loved meeting new people from all around the world, participating in all of the shipboard activities, including becoming the shipboard champion of the ring toss and ping pong on several of the cruises, visiting new places, and the food! Bob and Shirley took over a dozen trips on Holland America cruise line, including the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Northern European Capitals and Russia, Quebec/Montreal, Bermuda, and Alaska.

Bob had a number of interests and hobbies. He loved music of all types, including Glen Campbell, Nat King Cole, Neil Diamond, John Denver, Glen Miller and Big Bands, patriotic songs, and Luciano Pavarotti to name a few of his favorites. He attended concerts such as Neil Diamond and Bette Midler, and musicals at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, including Les Miserables and Jersey Boys, and several operas at the Seattle Opera. He loved dancing and was a part of a square-dancing club for several years. He enjoyed playing and watching golf, and was an avid reader. Bob enjoyed being outside and working in the yard, mostly because he loved visiting with all of the neighbors and people walking by. He was known to climb up on the top rung of some very sketchy wooden ladders he inherited from his father to paint the house or trim tall trees, until he was spotted and yelled at to come down.

Bob met one of his close friends, Bob Jones, at the Crossroads Washington Federal (WaFd) bank over 20 years ago. They both went to the bank every Friday for the free coffee and cookies, and to read the Wallstreet Journal. They soon became very good friends sharing WWII stories and discussing issues of the day. It wasn’t long before other WaFd customers joined in on the fun with the two Bobs, and the group began to grow with all being welcome. They would celebrate birthdays, with specially designed birthday cakes by Bob S., and holidays at the bank and always encouraging others to join in. Bob loved celebrating birthdays and holidays with family and friends. He was very generous and big into giving birthday and holiday cards, and would take great pleasure in finding the perfect card. He also loved taking pictures at all of the celebrations and always made sure to have his camera with him. Bob was a long-time member of the American Legion, and Elks Club. He attended Highland Covenant Church for 50 years. His favorite activity was being the greeter at the back door. He took great pride in knowing everyone’s name and welcoming them every Sunday.

Bob was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather to Mark, Robert, and Jake and his wife Martina. He supported his family and took great efforts to attend school activities from concerts to sporting events. Bob loved people and supported everyone he knew in whatever way he could. He would visit people in hospitals and rehabilitation centers, attend weddings, and funerals. He always greeted people with a big smile and excitement to see them. He was honest, treated people with courtesy, kindness, and respect, demonstrated exceptional manners and old school etiquette, and was considered a very kind and caring gentleman.

Bob is survived by his daughter Donna, son Daynard, daughter-in-law Sharon, grandson’s Mark, Robert, and Jake and his wife Martina.

For those who are interested, in honor of Bob donations can be to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Bob is greatly missed by his family and friends, and will live on in our hearts forever.