Marvin Dan Schmidt

Marvin Dan Schmidt 1938 - 2010 Marvin Dan Schmidt (Dan) entered this world on December 4, 1938, and went to his heavenly home to be with Jesus on February 12, 2010 (age 71). He is now and will always be, sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him. Dan was born in King City, CA to Claire and Tressie Schmidt of Bitterwater. He grew up on a farm in the country and had all the fun adventures that boys have. He attended Bitterwater-Tully Union School (in a one room schoolhouse). A note in an old school record book noted that Dan was "excellent in all his work". He had many fond memories of his time there and his latest project was writing a history of the school. He was busy trying to work with some new information he had received a week before his final trip to the hospital. As a farm boy Dan especially enjoyed being a 4H club member. He raised many animals, showing them at various fairs. Among them was a Grand Champion Steer that he showed at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. He always said that of all the animals that he raised his favorite was a pig he named Practical, because she kept herself so very clean. Dan attended King City High School where he excelled in all his classes, was valedictorian of his graduating class, enjoyed acting in class plays, and serving in several places on the student council, the last as a student body president in his senior year. This was also the time that he met his future wife Barbara Yost, in a world history class. After high school, Dan went to college at the University of California in Berkeley, majoring in Civil Engineering. Dan and Barbra were married at the end of his junior year in college. He remained a faithful "Bear" all of his life, driving to Berkeley and other sites to follow the football team. Dan's first job was with the city of Los Angeles in Van Nuys CA. Three sons, Nathan, Alan and Timothy were added to the Schmidt family over the next six years. At the invitation of a friend living in Bakersfield, Dan interviewed for a job with Boyle Engineering Corp. He would celebrate almost 41 years with Boyle (now AECOM). In addition to being involved in many exciting water related projects over the years, he also had the privilege of working in an atmosphere with people he genuinely cared about and who cared about him. Dan loved to travel. With various family members he first visited all the states, and then over the last 10 years, he and Barbara have visited many foreign countries. Another love was baseball. Dan visited as many different ball parks as he could - his knowledge of the game was remarkable to say the least. He always loved history (especially the Civil War) and geography. Even while he was sick in the hospital these past two months, he read several books and listened to two audio books. He had a hunger for learning. Dan's relationship with the Lord Jesus was also very important to him (the Rock of his life). He served as a Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, and Usher at Valley Baptist Church. His sweet disposition and gracious manner throughout the long days of illness was a testimony to Christ's presence in his life. Though we miss him so very much, he is in heaven enjoying all the wonders of a new world and life. Dan was so proud of his family - of his three sons and their families. He grew into this naturally because he had parents who truly loved him. Dan was preceded in death by his parents Claire and Tressie Schmidt. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 49 ½ years, Barbara; sons, Nathan and wife Kate, Alan and wife Stephanie, Tim and wife Leah; 7 grandchildren, Genevieve and husband Nate, Rosanne, Michael, Kelsey David, Rebecca and Marcus; 2 great grandchildren, Isabella and Jaedyn; sisters, Elaine, Donna and husband Laurence; 8 nieces and nephews and their families. Services for Dan will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 18th at Valley Baptist Church, 4800 Fruitvale Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93312. Burial will take place in King City, CA on Tuesday, February 23, at King City Cemetery. Burial will be preceded by a chapel service at 11:30 a.m. at the Whitehurst Grim Mortuary, 429 Bassett St., King City, CA. Donations may be made in Dan's name to the Karen Watson Missionary Fund at Valley Baptist in lieu of flowers. The family extends a sincere thanks to all who have ministered to Dan and Barbara through prayers, cards, and visits during his illness. Mish Funeral Home www.bakersfield.com/obits