David Harold Schmidt

Dave attended schools in Minatare and Scottsbluff Nebraska, graduating from Scottsbluff Senior High School in 1969. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1970, serving as an electronics technician until his honorable discharge in 1974. Aircraft he worked on included, A7 fighters and F4 Phantoms. After the Air Force, he worked as an electrician, then later as an ironworker for a steel erection company.

Dave moved to Oregon and attended Lane Community College in Eugene. He earned his Airframe and Powerplant license and Inspection Authorization. While attending college, he worked at a small airfield in Creswell, Oregon. He was able to earn his Private Pilot license while working there. He worked as a crew chief on a Hughes 500 helicopter for a mineral exploration company in Alaska. Afterward, he moved to Cottage Grove Oregon, opening a small aircraft repair shop on an airfield there. While working there, he earned his single engine Instrument Rating. He moved to San Diego, CA where he worked on U.S. Customs helicopters for Northrop Corporation. He moved to Fresno in 1990. He worked for Westair and a couple of commuter airlines.

December 14, 1997, Dave married Norma and became step-dad to her children Leslie and Dylan. He was a proud Papa to Leslie’s son Adrian. Dave adored Adrian. His face would light up whenever he spoke of their time together. Dave was a wonderful addition to Norma’s Chamberlin family! He became “Uncle Dave” to 13 of Norma’s nieces and nephew’s, their spouses, and all of their children. He was a fantastic brother in law and son in law. Best of all, Dave was loving and loyal to Norma. He took good care of her. They enjoyed vacations together at the coast and in the mountains, motorcycle rides, and road trips to South Dakota and Nebraska.

In 2001, Dave joined Norma at her father Jack Chamberlin’s real estate firm, Westland Realty & Investment, Inc., in Fresno, Ca. He was the first non-blood real estate agent to join the company, a fact that is still celebrated today. Dave was a great REALTOR and went on to get his Broker’s License. On Easter Sunday, April 15, 2001, Dave and Norma were in a tragic motorcycle accident together. They sustained life threatening injuries that unfortunately left them both permanently disabled. That did not hold them back. Dave’s love for Norma was evident in the patience and care he showed her for the 20 years following the accident. In 2009, Dave became an investor, founding agent, and Broker Associate at Keller Williams Fresno, where his license was held until his untimely passing. He was also a commercial real estate agent. Dave was loved by those he worked with.

Dave had quite a group of friends. He loved fishing, politics, guns and his dogs. His best friends, Boyd and Tina, had a great time fishing with him at Shaver Lake the day before he left us. The friends he made at the dog park, where he took his 3 dogs, were a cherished group- especially friend, Ralph Hatland, who was with him when he unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. He had lots of projects he planned on finishing and trips to take in the 5th wheel. He was most looking forward to a trip he had planned to South Dakota with his brother this summer. Leaving us all behind was definitely not Dave’s plan!

Dave is survived by his wife Norma Schmidt, step children Leslie Sullivan and Dylan Sullivan, grandson and best buddy Adrian Maldonado, three brothers; Jack Schmidt (Barbara) of Sun Valley, Nevada and nephew Garrett Schmidt, Ernest Schmidt (Stacey), of Sidney, Nebraska and Tom Schmidt (Mary Beth), of Greensboro, Georgia.

He was greeted in heaven by his parents, Harold Schmidt and Kathleen Schmidt, his father in law Jack Chamberlin and his brother in law John Chamberlin.

Services will be held at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery 32053 W. McCabe Rd., Santa Nella, Ca. 95322 at 10:00 am, Friday June 18th. A reception in Santa Nella will follow, details will be provided at the graveside.

An additional memorial service will be held Saturday June 19th from 11-1 at Keller Williams Fresno, for those unable to attend Friday. Keller Williams is located at 740 W. Alluvial #102, Fresno Ca., 93711.