Richard Hugo Schmidt

Richard Hugo Schmidt was born in Davenport, Iowa on July 14, 1923, in the home where he lived until his passing on December 11, 2022. He was the eldest and last surviving of four children born to Hugo John Schmidt and Hedwig Andresen Schmidt.

Richard celebrated 64 years of marriage with Mary Ann (Schulz) of Pleasant Valley, who passed away in 2011. Richard and Mary Ann graduated from Davenport High School, class of 1941. He was proud that he began his education in the one-room Fairview Country School. He completed one year at Iowa State University studying chemical engineering before returning to help run the family business, Crescent Macaroni & Cracker Company. Subsequently, he enlisted and served in the US Navy, Pacific Fleet, during WWII. Richard and Mary Ann's love story began when they met by chance in front of the post office when they were both home on leave, he from the Navy and she from duty as a TWA stewardess.

At age 25, when his father passed away unexpectedly, Richard was called to leadership at Crescent. He was a successful businessman both at Crescent, a multi-generational Schmidt family business in Davenport and later at Rockingham Lunex Company, Pleasant Valley, a 3-generation family company he ran for 30 years. Richard took a leadership role in many organizations including Davenport Chamber of Commerce, Davenport Club, Davenport Development Commission, Scott County Zoning Board, Northwest Bank & Trust, Rotary Club, Davenport School Board, Marycrest College, St. Luke's Hospital, Mississippi Valley Fair, and Oakdale Cemetery. Most rewarding was his service to the American Red Cross, especially during the Great Mississippi River Flood of 1965.

Richard was a golfer, racquetball player, bowler, and one-time para-sailer, active member of the YMCA, I Club, Quarterback Club, Davenport Country Club and Outing Club. He was part owner of the University Athletic Club, supporter and fan of Iowa Hawkeyes for over 94 years. In 1928, he began traveling by train to the football stadium in Iowa City.

Always physically active, he prided himself in having worked off his fingerprints. He was an exceptional gardener, growing roses and other flowers, fruits and vegetables, including sweet corn, raspberries, peaches, and grapes at the Schmidt family home of 100 years. In earlier years, his children's classmates had been treated to field trips to the home to observe him sheering sheep, leading goat driven-cart rides, and to Crescent to tour the cookie factory.

Foremost, Richard was a devoted family man, a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great-grandfather. As the Schmidt family patriarch, he walked his three sisters down the aisle: Sally Muller, JoAnne (Rex) Concannon, and Betty Ann (Bill) Nelson, all whom preceded him in death.

Richard is survived by his children: Barbara (Brian) Schmidt Kelly of Dublin, Ireland, William (Maureen Hart) Schmidt of Princeton, and Kathleen Schmidt of Pleasant Valley; grandchildren: Dr. John Kelly, Sarah (Neil Gleeson) Kelly; great-grandchildren: Mayla and Frank Richard Gleeson, all of Dublin; brother-in-law Dick Muller of Bettendorf; along with several nieces, nephews, and their families.

Dad made us proud beyond measure. He mentored many, led by example with his work ethic, positive "can do" attitude, and cheerful approach to life. He was an avid reader, world traveler, videographer, and master of Excel spreadsheets until the end of his life.

His family is very grateful to his neighbor, Misty Lane, who assisted him with his home and gardens for the last 20 years and to Diane Hansen, his housekeeper. We want to thank the skilled healthcare professionals at Mayo Clinic, Genesis Health Systems, Eye Surgeons Associates, and Urology Associates who helped him reach age 99 with exceptional quality of life.

He will be forever loved and deeply missed by those who had the privilege of knowing him.