Adolph George Schmidt

Born on March 2, 1956 he was the third son of PH “Skip” and Ruth L Schmidt. He grew up in Olympia and Tumwater Washington, graduating from Charles Wright Academy. Prior to graduation he enlisted in the US Navy, where he began his life as world adventurer. He was a man of many talents and all of those talents led him to explore many careers. These included an assembly Mechanic at Marco Marine, Crabbing in the ever so cold and rough environment of the Bering Sea, Owner and Chef of the Bristol House restaurant, documentary film researcher, computer consultant, and owner operator of La Vista de Rio Hotel & Marina, in Fronteras Guatemala.

His love of boating started as a young boy growing up on the waters of Budd Inlet. As a child it involved small motor and sailboats. As a young adult it was his Roughwater 35 called the Osprey. He was always so excited to gather a group of people to tour the lower Puget Sound and prepare one of his gourmet meals for them. Later in life he purchased his motor sailer, affectionately named the Ruthie L, after his mother. After a few shake down cruises from Florida up the East cost, he was ready for a lifetime adventure and set sail for “somewhere”. He ended up falling in love with Guatemala and purchased a Marina/Hotel in Fronteras. He had many amazing stories to share with us from the “Wild West” of the Rio Dulce that involved, 6 hour rides on the “chicken” bus (people really hauled chickens and goats on the buses), new boating friends from all around the world, thievery, the Guatemalan version of the Mafia, and so much more. He always wanted people to come visit… but for some reason nobody ever took him up on his offer.

There was one thing more important to Adolph than anything else in the world, and that was FAMILY. He was always trying to do things to get family members together so nobody would ever have any regrets. Brothers, Uncles, nephews, nieces, grandkids, aunts, cousins… he loved all of them and they loved him. From very cool treasure hunts, building amazing model train sets together, outdoor movies, customized artwork on can labels featuring the current birthday person, the ever full candy jars, and even the obnoxious, usually noisy and stinky (one year it was fart bombs) Christmas presents, he worked so hard to create memories for everyone special in his life. Oh.. and how can we forget the 4th. Of July? The bigger, the brighter, the louder, the better.

He truly was one of a kind with the biggest heart a person could have. Even in his final days when he was in great pain, he was not one to just sit by. If you called he would come help, even when you tried to get him to just stand down. Everybody knew a little different side of Adolph, and even though he could infuriate you sometimes, everybody that knew him, has a great “Adolph Story”. May he live on forever in our minds and hearts because of those great stories.

Preceded in death by his parents, PH “Skip” and Ruth L Schmidt Tumwater, WA. He is survived by his three brothers, PH “Hank” (Paula) Schmidt Jr., Dan (Johanna) Schmidt, Karl (Toni) Schmidt, his former wife Melonie Goodhue, and the “grandkids” , nephews, great niece, and great nephews (all affectionately known as munchkins, crumb grubbers, and rugrats).

A memorial service will be held at the Olympia Country and Golf Club, Thursday February 8 at 1:00 PM