Robert George Schmidt

Robert (Bob) George Schmidt was born in Butler, Oklahoma to loving parents George W. and Marie G. (Gaddert) Schmidt on October 16, 1932. Bob peacefully departed from this life on March 23, 2025 in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Growing up in Oklahoma, Bob and his family moved around from Butler to Clinton, Oklahoma before the family moved to Cordell, Oklahoma. Bob attended Cordell for grade and high school before he enrolled at Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska following high school graduation. Bob volunteered with the Selective Service VA Hospital in Topeka, Kansas as a psychiatric aide. After his work as an Aide, he moved back to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma prior to finally settling in Piedmont, Oklahoma.

On September 2, 1956, Bob married the love of his life Elma Eileen Stine in Geary, Oklahoma. They had three children, Ron, Dwight, and Eileen during their sixty-four years of marriage. The couple remained blissfully in love until Elma’s passing in May of 2021.

Bob was known to always give a helping hand, becoming a staple for the Piedmont community, as he was a prominent member of establishing the local fire department. He worked as the Piedmont Fire Chief, but also spent time employed as a truck driver for Allied Supermarkets and Dolese for over 20 years, a postman, and a salesman for Avon on the side. Though his days were busy, he never neglected his hobbies and other responsibilities as a cabinet maker, farmer, but most importantly an amazing father. He loved his family and cherished his days sitting around family reunions exchanging treasured stories.

Bob enjoyed listening to country music and religious hymns. He was a member of the Mennonite Church (Herold) in Corn, Oklahoma for many years. His perfect day would be spending time helping those in need, tending to his livestock, going fishing, and spending some quality time with his family. Bob’s children learned valuable lessons of life from him, showing them how to make the most of life.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents George and Marie Schmidt, wife Elma (Stine) Schmidt, brothers Bennie Schmidt and Raymond Schmidt, sister-in-law Bonnie Schmidt, and son-in-law Mike Bryan.

He is survived by his children, Ron Schmidt and significant other Dianna Williams of Guthrie, OK, Dwight Schmidt and wife Tina of Blanchard, OK, and Eileen Bryan of Yukon, Oklahoma, nine grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren.

A visitation for Bob will be hosted Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 8701 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73162. Bob’s Celebration of Life service will be Friday, April 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, followed by a committal at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Tributes and Memories from the Service:

When Ron came into our lives we too were feeling a similar loss, but with time came a new joy and the wonderful pleasure of getting to know Bob and Elma. They slipped so effortlessly into our family and from then on were simply Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt. Having family dinners and holiday get togethers were they fussed and joked with each other will be a memory held very close to my heart. Bob was such a wonderful man and when he could hear the jokes, he had a pretty great laugh too. I'm thankful for the joy he brought to our family and he will be missed dearly. As I sit and write this it's pouring outside and makes me think about how people say it's the angles crying. Maybe, but I like to think they are tears of joy. All the heavens, and a loving Father, crying tears of happiness for a child who's come home. May your reunion be glorious and with just a tad of fuss from Elma. We love you and will miss you.

When our parents leave this world, life is never the same. We lose the warmth of their embrace, the strength of their words, and the quiet reassurance of knowing they are always there. The love that once shielded us from life’s storms is gone, and in its absence, everything feels heavier.

No matter our age, when we lose our parents, we become orphans in a way that words can’t fully capture. Even if we have families of our own, their absence leaves a void that nothing can truly fill.

Deep within us, a child still lingers—one who longs for their protection, who aches for the safety of their love. We search for that familiar refuge, only to realize it no longer exists in this world. And yet, their presence never fully fades. They live on in the lessons they taught us, the love they gave, and the quiet whispers of memory that remind us: we were cherished, and we will carry that love with us forever.