Frank William Schmiedel Jr. "Bud"

Frank William Schmiedel, Jr., known to most as “Bud,” passed away July 5, 2014, in his home. He was with his loving second wife of 14 short years, Ramona, and his daughters, Kim Schmiedel-Hurst and Lori Schmiedel-Bankert. Frank was preceded in death by his sons, Eric and Michael Schmiedel, and their mother, his first wife, Selma. He will be remembered fondly by grandchildren Douglas Schmiedel and wife Henley, Sharon and Megan Schmiedel, Katie and Robert Hurst, and Sara and Kevin Bankert.

Born January 15, 1927 in San Francisco, Frank went into the Merchant Marine in 1943. He served a short time in the Coast Guard, but was discharged for medical reasons. He went back into the Merchant Marine until 1972, working his way from his first position as mess boy to receiving his Mate’s License shortly before being injured and retiring on disability. Between trips, he worked for Barnum and Bailey Circus, PG&E, the Flying Tigers and in the building trades and shipyards.

Frank was a board member of the Placer County Council of the Navy League and AARP Local 1474 and a member of the Sacramento Valley Merchant Marine Veterans, American Legion Warren McKeon Post 587, Veterans of Underage Military Service, All Three Wars Association, National Association of Uniformed Services and New Hope Lutheran Church. He will be especially remembered for his kindness, his humor, his hats all covered with decorative pins, his love of cooking and his exceptional skill with the sailors’ art of knot tying.

A celebration of Frank’s life and his inurnment in the Foresthill Community Cemetery will be announced at a later date. Donations in his memory to the Placer County Council of the Navy League, New Hope Lutheran Church or American Legion Warren McKeon Post 587 will be appreciated.