Dear Linda,
I think of you frequently as I walk the halls of our building, and particularly when I see our design students preparing for Design Day. I think also on all the challenging times we shared working towards tenure and promotion, but have been pleased to see a shift in our Department and College’s appreciation for the work you pioneered, paving the way for others to build upon your good work. We miss having you here with us in person, but feel touched by your spirit constantly. Thank you for being my friend and colleague.


I'm so sorry to hear about Dr. Schmidt's passing (she told me to call her Linda once I graduated, but she'll always be Dr. Schmidt).  She was a great professor (I had her in both undergrad and grad) and she was a great source of mentorship throughout my time at UMD.  

So sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Schmidt. She was a difference maker in my life ... and I’m sure in the lives of many of her students. She will be missed. 


My condolences to the Geier Family.  I was saddened to hear of Linda’s passing.  I am a  grade school friend from Riverdale, IL.  Linda and I grew close in  7th & 8th grade.  We had a similar family dynamic,  lots of sisters and one brother.  I’ve often wonder what became of Linda after she moved to Iowa.  She was one of the smartest girls I new, and we spent may days walking around the neighborhood, sometimes stopping in Geier’s Restaurant.  I found out this sad news from another friend who saw it on Facebook.  We reminisced  about the good times we had at Queen of Apostles.  My thoughts and prayers are  with you.

I am Linda's youngest sister and, on behalf of our family, would like to thank every one for sharing their memories, kind words and condolences.  
Our family is very close and we will miss Linda tremendously.  Thankfully, we have years of funny stories, warm memories, love and laughter to help ease our lose.

Linda was true definition of mentor, friend, and colleague. I have learned from her a lot. It’s still hard to realize the scope of this loss. My deepest condolences to her family and UMD. 


I worked with Linda at UMD.  She was such an energetic personality, always at 110% with enthusiasm.  She was an constant advocate for the students.  She always had a very strong presence. I will miss her wit, and humor that always broke up otherwise mundane meetings.  My condolences to your family.  She will absolutely be missed from our UMD family.

Our condolences for your loss. We didn’t know Linda well. Met her once several years ago. We know how much she meant to your family. 
Tom and Dawn Stoppelmoor

Linda and I both started at the University of Maryland as Assistant Professors the same month, and shared many experiences together in going through the tenure process together, and as colleagues over the subsequent 25 years. Through thick and thin, she was a source of cheerful optimism and kindness, always being there to help as a friend and colleague in times of need. Linda, you left us too soon, and we are diminished by your absence.

I first met Linda some 23 years ago when I joined the ME Department, and even on the few occasions when I saw her frustrated, I found her to always be thoughtful, considerate and kind. When my mother passed unexpectedly, she came over and gave me a huge hug, and told me things would be ok. I’ll never forget how genuine and deeply caring she was in that moment, and it really reflected how much she gave to others, and the type of person she was. Linda was one of a kind, and the world is a better place from her short time with all of us.

I hired Linda when I was the Chairman of the ME Department, and she was a very enthusiastic faculty member deeply dedicated to the area of design. We worked together to establish a laboratory, and she would drop by and keep me informed of her activities from time to time over the years. I was very fond of her, and very sorry that she has left us at an extremely young age. My deepest sympathies to her family, friends and colleagues, and we shall all miss her dearly.

My heartfelt condolences go out to Linda's family. She was not only a caring advisor but also a fun energetic person who loved to laugh. I met Linda in 2013 when I was looking for an advisor for my Master's studies. Her support began the day we met and never stopped. Her favorite Einstien quote was "If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" which helped me navigate difficult moments of doubt in my work. Perhaps one of the most treasured memories I have is our road trip to Tifton, during which we had delightful conversations about life, love, family, and religion.

My deepest condolences to Linda's family. She was such a wonderful, positive, and fun person to be around. We first met when I was applying to graduate school for a master's degree, and after having some conversations about shared research interests she took a shot on me which led me to University of Maryland. About a year after that, she encouraged me to get my PhD and I'm so thankful to have had her as my adviser. She truly cared about her students and her impact on my life is immeasurable. Perhaps what I appreciated most is she taught me that no matter what, there's always an opportunity to find joy and laughter in what you're doing - even if you have to spark it yourself. She will be greatly missed.

Dad thought so very, very highly of Linda.  He even wanted to co-author the Engineering Design textbook with her.  It was a pure delight to him to work with her on the book.  Linda was so very kind and caring.  Dad enjoyed talking with Linda very much.  I never knew how I was going to tell her that Dad had passed.  I am deeply sad for your loss.  As you know, she loved you all so much.  Personally, I will miss her so very much too.  I hope that we could keep in touch.  Much love, Carol Joan Dieter

Linda was such a good friend. It was always fun to be with her. One night close to Christmas, we were walking around Annapolis. We found this alley that had been strung with hundreds of snowflake lights and sparkled from one end to the other. It had been named "Snowflake Alley." Linda was so excited about this unexpected find and started twirling and dancing down the alley with her arms in the air. The joy she found in simple things was wondrous. We are so deeply sorry for your loss. Our family is keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers.

I wanted to send my heartfelt condolences the family on your loss.  Linda was a vibrant member of our Clark School community.  Many faculty and staff throughout the College have reached out to me to express their sadness and highlight their fond remembrances of Linda and her excitement for teaching, research and working with students and colleagues.  She will be deeply missed at the university.

Linda was an incredible person, a beautiful woman, very special. She was an inspiration to me. We received her in Chile years ago, and she was a visiting professor in our Mechanical Design course in the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María. I remember her fondly. We will miss you.

I first met Linda when I was a new assistant professor and she was a graduate student interviewing for her first faculty position.   Since we both came from Carnegie Mellon and were women in engineering in the area of design, we immediately connected.    We have remained in touch throughout our lives.   She was a deeply good person who truly cared about others.   She will be missed. 

It is a sad day to hear Linda’s passing. She and I joined UMD in the same Fall of 1995 with our offices next to each other’s. We taught design courses together. She was such a warm personality with big smiles, always willing and helpful.

She will be deeply missed. 

I'm so sorry.  Linda was such a good person, and a great and caring member of our community. Her enthusiasm for life and her students will live on in those she taught and worked with.  I recall at least one story about her doing handsprings in celebration of students doing well!  What a sweetheart!  She'll be missed.  

So sorry to hear about Linda's passing. She was always so gracious to me when I was in the area and would meet her for lunch or dinner.

OBITUARY

Linda Catherine Schmidt

27 November, 1958 – 12 March, 2021

Sterling-Ashton-Schwab-Witzke Funeral Home of Catonsville, Inc.

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