Raimund Karl Schmid

His devoted caretaker, Demita, who brought much comfort to him in his final months was with him at the time of his passing. It’s safe to say that Raimund died of a broken heart. His wife of over 60 years, Brunhilde “Hilde” Schmid, passed 5 months prior on September 9th, 2023, and Raimund rapidly declined since that day. When friends asked if there was anything they could do to help after Hilde died, Raimund would always say. “No one can give me what I want the most. No one can give me my Hilde back.”

Raimund was the only child born to Otto and Helene Schmid on December 13th, 1938, in Halle, Germany. The city of Halle had become too dangerous after the start of World War II and the family migrated to the city of Ebersbach an der Fils where extended family members already resided. It was here that he met his lifelong partner Brunhilde, whose family had also been displaced to Ebersbach during the war. They married in 1962 and lived there with their two daughters until Raimund’s job in the textile industry brought them to Charlotte, NC in the early 1970’s.

Raimund studied Engineering from a young age and started his career with Zinser, a German based company that manufactured textile machine parts. His job moved the young family all around the world including Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and eventually to Charlotte where Raimund and Brunhilde lived out the rest of their lives. Raimund was an avid soccer fan and played semi-professionally in his younger days in Germany. In fact, it was while he was on the soccer field that he caught the eye of a beautiful, shy girl named Brunhilde who kept coming back to watch him play soccer, according to Raimund that is. Hilde’s version would tell you it was Raimund that noticed her and made it a point to get her attention by showing off from the soccer field. One thing is for certain, a love story had its beginning on a soccer field in a little town in Germany that day.

Raimund lost his own father at a very young age and was primarily raised by his mother, Helene. He was strongly devoted to his family, which was entirely female much to Raimund’s dismay at times! He always provided for his beloved Hilde, his two girls and granddaughter, as well as his mother up until the day she died. The Schmid family has always shared a love for animals. In his final days Raimund often spoke of his best friend, Willie the dachshund who passed many years ago and he took great comfort in Pippen, the family cat, after Hilde passed.

Anyone who knew Raimund would agree that “staunch businessman” is a perfect description. Since his start as a young man back in Germany, he worked hard his entire life eventually starting his own business importing and selling textile machine parts after coming to the United States. Raimund loved his work and took great pride in building a successful business. His work was a big part of who he was, and he never officially retired.

If you had to describe Raimund in one sentence “they broke the mold when they made him” sums it up. Those who met him certainly never forgot him. He was a straight shooter, didn’t sugar coat, a cut to the chase kind of man and strongly opinionated. One thing is for certain, his heart was always in the right place, and he will be deeply missed by those who knew him. How he expressed his opinions came to be known as “Raimund-isms.” It’s his Raimund-isms that will always bring a smile or rather a full-blown belly laugh when reminiscing about him.

Raimund is survived by his two daughters, Annette Schmid-Riggsbee, Alexandra Schmid and his granddaughter Blair Riggsbee.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Raimund’s name to Cat Smart Coalition (https://www.catsmartcoalition.org) or to your favorite animal rescue organization.