Dr Robert W. Schmidt II

Dr. Robert W. Schmidt II, 50, of Dunlap, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on August 9, 2024. Fondly referred to as “Superman”, Rob graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bradley University with a BS in Biology and then from the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria with his Doctorate in Medicine. Rob was selected for the Merck Manual Award by his classmates, which is awarded to the most outstanding senior, the “Doctor’s Doctor,” and by his professors for the Tucker Radiology Award for Excellence in Radiology. Rob finished his residency in Radiology at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, as Chief Resident. He then went on to do a Fellowship in Breast Imaging at the OSF Center for Breast Health, at which point he stayed on and humbly served as a Breast Imager for CIRA (Central Illinois Radiological Associates) for 17 years, right up until the very day of his diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) grade 4 IDH wild type unmethylated brain cancer in late March 2023.

In November of 2001, Rob married his very best friend, Megan, and together they created a beautiful, loving family with their three amazing boys: Tyler, Caiden, and Lucas. Rob was the most amazing, generous, kind, gentle, intelligent and loving husband, father, son, brother, friend, doctor, neighbor and all-around human. Rob’s free time was devoted to the loves of his life: his family and playing hockey. He could be found playing basketball on the driveway with his boys, going on walks with his wife, enjoying family game night or just doing anything that involved time with his wife and boys. Rob absolutely adored his family and made it a priority to take several family vacations every year. For his boys, he volunteered with them, coached their sporting events, helped them with their homework and studying, made them their favorite meals and went to every game, awards night, concert, etc. He did not want to miss one moment of their lives, and he was so incredibly proud of the young men they have become. For his wife, he was the best man she has ever known, her best friend, soulmate, better half, moral compass, guiding light, and the ‘love of her lifetime’. There was no limit to his patience and love for her. As his passenger princess and the queen of his heart and his home, he never let a day pass without making her feel truly, deeply and completely loved, appreciated, respected, heard and valued. While Rob was never good at asking for or accepting help, he would move Heaven and Earth to help others. With exceedingly high values and morals, he led a life of humility and compassion in service to others.

Rob was no stranger to hard work, discipline, determination and dedication. As a Breast Imager at an OSF facility, Rob taught medical students and residents as an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria. He was chosen in both 2010 and 2023 for the OSF Radiology Residency Program Faculty of the Year Teaching Award. Rob was asked numerous times to speak at conferences, but he was so humble that he declined. He never felt like he needed to be celebrated or made the center of attention, and he hated public speaking. When anyone, other than patients, would address him as “Doctor”, he would politely say, “please call me Rob.” He was, quite simply, a humble soul, except when playing hockey. Rob was an avid hockey player with a true passion for the game. He was often praised by his hockey buddies for his peaceful demeanor and humor off the ice and his speed, athleticism and youthfulness on the ice, as both a center and a winger. One of his buddies said it best when he wrote, “You are the quintessential definition of a ‘beaut’ Rob”; a player both talented on and off the ice and loved by his teammates.

Rob is survived by his wife Megan, their three sons: Tyler, Caiden and Lucas, father Wayne (Marleen) Schmidt, mother-in-law Betty Colclasure, sister Theresa (John) Doran, sister-in-law Jackie (Jason) Overstreet, brother-in-law Marc (Kim) Colclasure, 8 nieces and nephews and 7 great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law Ron Colclasure, his great niece Tera Garber and his uncle Darrell Schmidt.

At this time, due to an additional family tragedy, memorial services will be postponed until all family members can be present. There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date to honor the exceptional life of this truly brilliant and remarkable man. In lieu of flowers and gifts, please consider a heartfelt donation to the Schmidt Strong Foundation that is currently being established to support families affected by GBM and Spinal Cord Injury. This foundation is to honor Rob’s legacy and those who have supported him, including his loving and incredible work family that created the name Schmidt Strong. Donations can be gifted through the Schmidt Strong Venmo account (@SchmidtStrongFoundation) OR checks can be written to Megan Schmidt, with “Schmidt Strong” on the memo line, and sent to: Schmidt Strong C/O Vicki Shanklin, OSF Center for Breast Health, 8600 Illinois Route 91, Peoria, IL 61615.