George Frederick Schmitt Jr.

Schmitt, George F., age 85 of Washington Township, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 28, 2025 at Fairmont Senior Living. Born on November 3, 1939 in Louisville to the late George F. and Jane Schmitt Sr, he is survived by his wife Ann, his two sons Galen and Brandon, their wives Sabrina and Rachel, 3 Grandchildren (Sophia, Avery and Liam), his brothers Bill and Carl and their families and many friends and colleagues.

George served in the United States Air Force, and was honorably discharged from the USAF Research and Development Division. A true academic, George was a graduate of the University of Louisville, The Ohio State University Graduate School and Extended Training Program, Air War College. His published research led to global innovations in materials science, and he felt privileged to review scholarship applications for younger graduate students and researchers, and guest lecture at Catholic University, University of Michigan and UD.

From an early age, George knew he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps to be an Engineer, and he grew to be an accomplished and acclaimed professional. His career with the United States Air Force Research Laboratory Materials Directorate spanned over 60 years, took him all over the globe, and was decorated with such awards as the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, Federal Professional Employee of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award from SAMPE, where he served as International President.

George was a devoted member of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Centerville and Dayton, where he loved the fellowship, sang every Sunday in the church choir and regularly attended Sunday school and cherished the soup dinners.

George was an artist and craftsman who enjoyed woodworking at the family summer camp and needlepoint year-round. He also loved working in the yard, planting flowers and battling dandelions. His true passion was music and for decades he reveled playing his clarinet in the July 4th parade and community concerts with the Kettering Civic Band and Dayton Philharmonic, Windjammers Circus Music Preservation Society and the letter carrier’s band. At Christmas for many years, George loved donning the red suit and beard for SICSA’s annual fundraising pet photo shoot with Santa.

George was a kind faithful and generous man who walked humbly with a big brain and big heart and did good in the world, and he will be dearly missed.

The family would like to extend its deep gratitude to the entire care team and staff at Fairmont for the kind and compassionate care they provided to George and to all our friends and family who were there for him when he needed them.

A private service will be held at David’s Cemetery with Air Force Military Honors. Memorial contributions may be made in George’s name to S.I.C.S.A., 8172 Washington Church Road, Dayton, Ohio 45458, or to a local non-profit that is meaningful to you. Condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com