Richard Paul Schmidt, age 93, of Bucyrus, passed away Tuesday August, 31, 2021 at his home. He was born November 9, 1927 to Gustav and Regina (Roetker) Schmidt in Oklahoma City.
Richard was a graduate of St. Joseph High School, Oklahoma City in 1946. He then joined the United States Navy and proudly served his country from 1946-1948. He received his Mechanical Engineering degree from Oklahoma State A&M in 1953. He married his beloved wife, Janette Ruffing, on May 12, 1956 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bellevue, Ohio. After many years in Bellevue working for General Electric, they moved to Bucyrus in 1985 and he later retired in 1991 from GE after 40 years. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Bucyrus, Knights of Columbus in Bellevue, and he volunteered for the Crawford County VITA program for 17 years (1998-2015). A few of his most treasured events were when he attended the Columbus VA Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2015 and when he was the Memorial Day Parade Marshall in 2019. He was a thoughtful father who loved working in his garden and was a proud supporter of his grandchildren’s activities. Richard was a caring and loving husband, father, and friend and he will be sadly missed.
He is survived by his sister Mary Jo Meyer of Irving, TX and in-laws Alfred and Marie Ruffing of Laurenville, GA. Included survivors are his five children and their spouses; Richard Jr. and Angela Schmidt of Tamaqua, PA; Scott and Susan Schmidt of Spring Lake, MI; Rebecca Palko of Haslett, MI; Jennifer and Mike Walter of Shelby, OH; Benjamin and Jennifer Schmidt of Charlotte, NC.
He is also survived by his loving grandchildren whom he cherished, Torrey and Allison Schmidt, Tyler and Molly Schmidt, Travers and Shannon Schmidt, Schuyler and Evan Earl, Teague Schmidt, Sarah Schmidt and Min Lee, Stephen Schmidt, Jacklyn and David Holzwart, Bailey Walter and Camden Walter, Conrad Schmidt and Lydia Schmidt.
Richard was also blessed with nine adorable great grandchildren, Logan and Lucy Schmidt, Eleanor and Clara Schmidt, Trexler and Tawson Schmidt, Cllian Earl, Merritt Schmidt Lee, and Adaline Holzwart. Along with nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Along with his parents and brother, Robert, he is preceded in death by his wife, Janette Catherine Schmidt in January 2021.
Richard donated his body to The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
At a later date, he will be interred with his wife at Bellevue Catholic Cemetery and with his fellow veterans at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful that memorial contributions can be made to:
Friends of Crawford Park District, 2401 SR 598, Crestline, Ohio 44827, 419-683-9000.
Gifts for The Yanks, care of American Legion Post 181, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820.
Foos Funeral Home in Bellevue, Ohio is assisting the family with arrangements and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.foosfuneral.com
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