Robert Emil Schmidt

Robert Emil Schmidt died peacefully surrounded by his family after a 6 year health battle. He was born on November 16, 1952 in Lansing, Michigan to Richard and Margery Schmidt and lived there until he was 10 years old. After moving to rural Wheatfield township near Williamston, Bob decided at the age of 11 he needed to strike out on his own and decided to run away to Florida. He biked from home back to Lansing to say goodbye to his friends and after spending the day with them fishing, decided to spend the night in the woods with his friend then head out to Florida. About 4:30 am his father finally found him in the woods and he had to ride his bike in front of his father's car all the way back home. That was when his dad decided he needed to keep an eye on this one.

So, because he spent so much time doing construction jobs with his father, he learned how to work hard, stay on the job until it was finished, and always do his best. He was daring, adventurous, confident, generous, and trustworthy throughout his life. Bob's philosophy was always "it is better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission." This usually meant that any job he tackled, he not only did it well, but made himself indispensible. Bob spent 44 years at General Motors doing many jobs, but the most challenging and enjoyable job he had was as a scheduler in the Body Receiving department. He took that department from keypunch to computers and enjoyed the challenges he encountered and all the people he met.

Bob retired in 2016 to face his health challenges and he and Denise were able to move to Green Valley, Arizona in 2019. Bob loved yard work and had a beautiful manicured lawn wherever he lived. But, he never minded that Arizona yards consisted of stones and he loved every minute he got to spend there.

Bob loved sports and played basketball in high school and always lamented that he wasn't 6'10" tall. He passed his love of the Wolverines and sports on to his son, Ben. He played many years on city softball leagues and held pig roast picnics for the teams at the end of the seasons. He was an avid hunter and loved being outside in the fall. His life was full and he never quit.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents , Richard and Margery, brother Steve, and grandparents Emil and Hermine Schmidt and James and Mabel Hiles.

Surviving Bob is his high school sweetheart and wife , Denise; son Ben and Elizabeth Mahlich and their children, Alayna and Gavin of Williamston, Michigan; stepdaughter Lesley and Nishant Khattar and their children Ojal and Nikash of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; stepson Keith and Michelle Bauer and their children Anne and Marty of Hampton, Virginia; sister Chris and Bob Rogers of Dansville, Michigan; brother Lary Schmidt of Mason, Michigan; brother Eric and Edwina Schmidt of Dansville, Michigan; brother-in-law Rick and Elizabeth Cornell of Green Valley, Arizona; sister-in-law Jalayne and Andy Cotner of Lakeview Ohio; sister-in- law Renee and Tim Martin of Allendale, Michigan; life-long friend Bob Copeland of Lansing, Michigan; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

There is a memorial being planned in Michigan in July. Bob always admired our military and first responders. On many occasions Bob would secretly pick up the tab for retired military when we happened to meet them in restaurants. I know he would love any memorial contributions in his name to go to Tunnels to Towers at t2t.net or Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.

There will be a memorial gathering of friends and family on Saturday, July 16, 2022 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 at the Wheatfield Township Hall, 985 Holt Road, Williamston, Michigan .