Robert W Schmidt

ROBERT SCHMIDT

1930 - 2018

Obituary

Robert W. Schmidt, 88, passed away on Easter Sunday (April 1, 2018) at Schowalter Villa in Hesston.

He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Esther Schmidt; and brother, Richard Schmidt.

Robert was born on Feb. 16, 1930, in Enid, Oklahoma, to August and Esther K. Schmidt. He completed his elementary/secondary schooling in Meno, Oklahoma, at Oklahoma Bible Academy. He attended Bethel College, where he received his chemistry degree in 1952, and then taught one year at Sun City High School before marrying Betty Enns on Aug. 27, 1953. They were married 64 years prior to his passing.

Robert and Betty moved to Norman, Oklahoma, where they started their family and Robert continued his education at Oklahoma University. He received his Masters and Ph.D. and, following graduation, moved to Indianola, Iowa, where Bob then taught for two years at Simpson College. Moving to Newton in 1961, he was employed at Bethel College as Professor of Chemistry and Microbiology, educating students and performing research for more than 30 years.

He was an avid reader, had a wonderful sense of humor, was a lover of history and always on a quest for knowledge. Robert was a member of Bethel College Mennonite Church of North Newton since 1954. He was a quiet, thoughtful, caring man, always mindful of the needs of others.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Schmidt; children: Rebecca (Gary) Dick, Baldwin City, Brian (Debra) Schmidt, Lenexa, Kenneth (Linda) Schmidt, Salt Lake City and Karen (Kent) Richards, Baldwin City; siblings: Eleanor Nickel, North Newton, Wilbur and Arlene Schmidt, Hutchinson and James Schmidt, Oklahoma City. There are eight grandchildren: Jena Dick, Phillip (Jesica) Schmidt, Tessa (Ryan) Matheson, Nathan (Lauren) Dick, Bradley Schmidt, Heath Parmley, Wyatt Parmley and Betsy Parmley; and two great-grandchildren, Emmett Matheson and Brody Matheson.

A celebration of life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday (April 7, 2018) at the Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton. A public visitation is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday (April 6, 2018) at Petersen Funeral Home.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the "Robert W. Schmidt Endowed Scholarship Fund" or the Bethel College Mennonite Church.