Robert Schmidt

Robert E. Schmidt (85), known as Bob, died peacefully in his home with his beloved wife, Bobbie, by his side on March 10, 2025, in Fall River, WI.

Bob, Robert when he was in trouble, started his turn on earth in the house his father built on the east shore of Phantom Lake in Mukwonago, WI to Elmer and Louise (Hensel) Schmidt on September 5, 1939. Bob was welcomed by two older sisters, Dory and Lela, who adored their little brother, but he kept them on their toes.

Bob began his career in shenanigans, mischief, and folly early in life. When he was about three years old, little Bob thought it was a clever idea to jump into the lake during early spring. After five minutes of being underwater, he was discovered lying at the bottom of the lake looking up, waiting for someone to get him. His sisters enjoyed telling him the five or so minutes without oxygen explained the way he was.

Bob received his education in the Mukwonago public school system, where he pursued the college prep program. He was an active member of the band and stood out as the center on the basketball team, towering at 6'6". Throughout his school years, he continued his mischievous ways. Bob and his best friend Bill purchased a broken down sailboat and, after a crash course in sailing, they watched a pro expertly dock a sailboat and said, “we can do that!” As Bob thrust the rudder on Bill’s command, Bill slipped and went ass over tea kettle into the water. Bob sailed by and grabbed him by the hair, helping him get back into the boat.

During his junior year he was “smitten” by a pretty blonde first-year student, Bobbie Suffridge. He convinced her that he and his friends were “good guys” to hang out with. When one of his friends asked Bobbie to the homecoming dance behind Bob's back, Bob brought her home late from a date, getting her grounded for six weeks. This kept her from going to the dance, but Bob “happily” spent the next six Saturday nights watching The Laurence Welk Show on her mother’s couch. In 1958, Bob graduated and received two scholarships to the University of Wisconsin Madison for Metalurgical Engineering. Like some high school sweethearts, Bob and Bobbie lost touch during his college years.

While at UW-Madison, Bob was on the Badger rowing team and spent his summers tinkering in metallurgical labs in Wisconsin. After graduating, he took his talents to DuPont in Niagara Falls, NY, where he met and married Delores (Dee) Laskos. Bob was later recruited by Caterpillar, moved to Illinois with Dee, and earned a master’s degree in engineering administration from Bradley University in 1971. They had a son, Todd Robert, and enjoyed camping and exploring the outdoors, and became a Boy Scout Troop Leader to Todd’s troop. Bob’s adventures continued when he was transferred to the San Leandro, CA plant as the chief metallurgist.

Bob's passion for the outdoors and the water truly blossomed after he moved west. He spent his free time driving to the coast, walking the beaches, swimming, camping, hiking, boating, and traveling with family and friends. He was a member and deacon of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. While in California, Bob and Dee divorced and he later married Daryl Cleveland. Bob embraced his five new stepchildren by teaching, encouraging, and supporting them. Bob and Daryl traveled extensively and spent a year in Italy when Bob was transferred to a Caterpillar plant. He eventually settled in Washington State where he retired after 35 years of service at Caterpillar and later divorced.

Bob’s love life came full circle when he was reunited with his high school sweetheart. When Bob and Bobbie touched their hands for the first time, it was like they were teenagers again. Bob would often share the story of meeting Bobbie for the first time with everyone he met. They spent several years traveling the United States in their RV where Bob enjoyed introducing Bobbie to many outdoor adventures and his stories. Bob eagerly helped Bobbie with anything she asked from washing windows and gardening to going to rummage sales to buy “treasures” only to drop them off randomly to their children’s homes.

Bob's personality was as expansive as his love for jokes and stories. His life was a tapestry of laughter, love, and pranks. His passion for the outdoors was equaled only by his sharp sense of humor. It was impossible to end a phone call with him without hearing, "Don't hang up yet, I've got a joke for you..."

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, son, and two stepdaughters. Bob is survived by his first love, Bobbie, (Fall River, WI), eight stepchildren, numerous step grandchildren and great grandchildren, nephews and numerous friends who will always remember his stories, practical jokes, and shenanigans.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation and gratitude to the entire staff of The Meadows of Fall River and Common Heart Palliative Care and Hospice for the tender care and compassion shown during Bob’s last days.

A private graveside funeral will be held in the future. Cards and notes of condolence can be sent to Bobbie Schmidt, c/o The Meadows of Fall River, 101 Hometown Ave, Fall River, WI 53932. In lieu of flowers or monetary gifts, the family kindly requests any donations be made a charity of choice in memory of Bob with a joke attached.