Dr. Robert Scott Schmidt

Dr. Robert Scott Schmidt, 61, passed away on November 15, 2017 at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio after complications from surgery. Born on April 24, 1956 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; he was the son of the late Robert J. and Elaine Skelton Schmidt.

Scott, as his Wisconsin friends and family know him, graduated from Custer High School and went on to briefly attend Carroll College in Waukesha, WI in 1974 majoring in Chemistry and moved on to the University of Wisconsin – Madison majoring in Pharmacology in 1977. While at UW, he was awarded the Upjohn Service Award, was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and served as Treasurer with the Rho Chi Honors Fraternity. He continued his education at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill where he received his Pharm D and then his MD from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1989. He was a Resident of Internal Medicine, receiving the Chairman’s Award for Clinical Excellence in 1992 and the Resident of the Year Award and became a Fellow in Nephrology, all at the UNC-Chapel Hill. Bob became Chief, Division of Nephrology in 1997 at Durham Regional Hospital, a partner within Durham Nephrology Associates, P.A. and went on to become a partner that helped establish Cary Nephrology/Capital Nephrology Associates (now known as North Carolina Nephrology).

Throughout his education and career, Bob gave back by teaching others. He was appointed to Campbell University as a faculty member and was awarded the Best Clinical Faculty Teacher of the Year thru Wake Med Health and Hospitals. He was also a Clinical Instructor with the UNC School of Pharmacy, Medical Residency Preceptor in Physical Diagnosis with the UNC School of Medicine, a tutor in Gross Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology while at the Medical College of Wisconsin and a course coordinator and lecturer while in Graduate School at the UNC School of Pharmacy. To the nurses who he had the privilege to work with, it was both with love and respect that they called him "Dr. Bob". He brought out the best in everyone because he respected the entire staff as individuals and as a discipline in the essential care of mutual patients. There was a lot of "nurse" in Dr. Bob - just ask any nurse in his office, a dialysis unit or on 4E at Rex (his other family). He was the quintessential teacher and by example he taught so many how to align the necessary education to the requisite education level. It was this extraordinary ability of his that put him at the top of the "list" for invited speakers in North Carolina’s statewide American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) meetings which was very dear to his heart, a very important mission for him. Dr Bob would always show up on time and, with the aid of a flip chart and felt pen, deliver a riveting extemporaneous explanation of the subject at hand, never just a lecture! And no question or questioner was ever made to look silly. He was told he was so important to them that the Cardinal Chapter made him an ANNA member. His reputation leaked out to the ANNA national level and he became an invited speaker to a nationwide ANNA audience.

Outside of his career Scott/Bob had a passion for the arts - all arts, including the art of mastering the NY Times Crossword Puzzles! Did he use Google or not for help? He was a natural in the water, with neighbors chiming in on his dedication to swim a mile each morning before rounds. He found great peace and pride in his home in Beaufort, NC surrounded by the beauty and historical atmosphere. He was impressed with the Beaufort Historical Association and took pride in giving back as his home was a part of the Garden Tour. His love for music began as a child when he played baritone bugle marching with the Rangers Little Drum and Bugle Corps, Chordalier Rebels and Princemen. The last Drum & Bugle Corp he marched with was Marquis before he started teaching both horn and guard (specializing in Rifle). He was known for explaining to anyone who would listen about correct breathing techniques to help better themselves playing an instrument! Teaching the Madison Jr. Scouts, Madison Scouts and St Croix Rivermen came with a large following of the Drum Corp family to this day. In high school he played Conrad in ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ which became his nickname that lasted a lifetime. This is no doubt the base of his love of theatre as he experienced watching shows all over the world and became an avid season ticket holder at DPAC as well as a fan and follower of the Womens Voices Chorus out of Chapel Hill. The biggest most important art that Bob mastered was that of his witty dry sense of humor that always kept others smiling, lighting up every room he was in even in his last moments. The epitome of love, strength, brilliance, common sense and class.

He is survived by sisters: Jane (Joe) Lehmann, of Leawood, KS and Judy (Bill) Wingo, of Pewaukee, WI; his loving Aunt Marion Skelton of Green Bay, WI; nephews and nieces: Joel Lehmann (Reagan), of Leawood, KS, Michael Lango (Dave Borgealt), of Forest Park, IL, Jennifer Hirsch (Andrew), of St Peters, MO, Corrin Grimm (Ron), of Port Washington, WI, Matthew Arnold (Allexia), of Seattle, WA; great-nephews and nieces: Gabriel Lehmann, Lauren Hirsch, Caleb Lehmann, Jane Lehmann, Abby Hirsch and Alison Elaine Grimm; many very special cousins; other family, colleges and close friends, including his head cheerleader/caregiver Amanda Jones-Howard with help of Team Bob : Kyle Rose, David & Sydney Atkinson, Dr. Prabhakar Vaidya, Paula Jurras, Jeff Whicker, George Vaughan and Sarah Becker.

A special heartfelt thank you is extended to Dr. Marie Budev and Dr. Kenneth McCurry and their entire team at the Cleveland Clinic including ALL staff in J5-5, a true class act, a team of excellent patient and family caregivers. Thank you to Dr. Laurie Snyder and Dr. Kamran Mahmood at Duke and our priceless Physical Therapists from Duke in Brier Creek. To all of you, it is with sincere gratitude and appreciation for always being in Bob’s Corner, always pushing limits as he did, always learning, teaching and caring!

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 11 am at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (11401 Leesville Road in Raleigh, NC), with a time of visiting one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated in Bob/Scott’s memory to the foundation he established to help other transplant patients with housing - a place to rest and recharge! Memorial contributions may be mailed to “In Your Corner” 10511 Sablewood Dr Unit #207, Raleigh NC 27617 or by going to the website www.iyc-nc.org

For family and friends in the Milwaukee Area - there will also be a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial, held at Holy Rosary Church (2011 North Oakland Avenue in Milwaukee, WI) on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 9:30 am.