George C. Schmidt

George C. Schmidt, born September 12, 1949, passed into the hands of Our Lord on October 25, 2019, in Portland, OR, at Providence Portland Medical Center who provided the best care. He was preceded in passing by his father George A. Schmidt, mother Rosemary Schmidt, and brother Stephen Schmidt. George will be lovingly remembered by his surviving wife Marcia Schmidt (Czarnecki); children Wendy Schmidt, Kylea Schmidt-Sundberg and husband Ryan, Kenneth Schmidt and wife Molly, and Erika Schmidt; brother Martin Schmidt and wife Anjie, sister Susan M. Englert (Schmidt) and husband Terry, and sister Gretchen Mills (Schmidt); and many beloved cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

George’s life filled us with laughter and good times. George surrounded the world around him with family, friends, and fun. A native Portlander who lived in our Rose City and loved everything Portland. Earlier in life, he attended Madison High School and other classes. He sold newspapers and worked at the Der Rheinlander, enjoying the food as perks. He briefly worked at Owens Illinois, then served as a loyal Trimet bus driver for 32 years and retired in 2004. George received a National Safety Council Award during his time at Trimet, 25 years prior to retirement.

He loved his children. Taking them places, attending their games and school functions, weddings, and the birth of his three grandchildren by Wendy. All memories he photographed with countless pictures. George was an avid photographer.

He enjoyed all the Northwest had to offer, including camping, fishing, beaches, parks, food, rivers and waterfalls, especially the Columbia River Gorge and east winds. His life filled with adventures, card games, parties, parades, road trips, photography, news and politics, never ending views, walks, playing jokes, peanut butter, taunting the family cat (Gabby), feeding squirrels and birds.

I will always remember him as my loving, caring husband who I married in 1984. He opened a door to a new world for me and many others who were blessed to know George.

Love,

Marcia, George’s loving wife, and his family

In lieu of flowers, to honor George’s memory please donate to Friends of the Columbia Gorge. He loved the gorge and would want the gorge to continue to grow in its majestic beauty. You can also donate to the American Heart Association or Friends of Trees. There is a Celebration of Life being planned in the coming months.