Lt. Col. Harold D.L. Schmoldt USAF (Ret.) was born March 14, 1918 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was adopted at birth by William and Emma Nelsen Schmoldt. Harold is survived by his wife, Mary, and her children Suzanne (J.R.) Holler of Hobbs, NM; Jerry (Sandi) Worsham of Phoenix, AZ; Marcia (Steve) Hastings of Hayden, AL; and Leslie (Rod) Holcomb of Corpus Christi, all of whom love him very much, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his half-brother John (Marilyn) Gerdes of Valparaiso, NE. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Dorothy, and only child, Sharon Simica.
Harold’s family moved to Los Angeles when he was 4. He became an accomplished musician playing the piano, tuba, and string bass. He received a full scholarship to Loyola University, LA and played in the Los Angeles city band in the 1933 Olympics. He also made his spending money in High School and College playing in dance bands and movies in LA. After graduation, he joined the Air Cadets and took primary and Basic Training at Hemet, CA, Randolph AFB, and Brooks. He was in the class 41E.
WWII started soon after and Harold flew fifty B17 bombing missions out of Polebrook, England, and North Africa. He had a distinguished 30 year career, including two tours at the Pentagon, and 3 years as Air Attache in Afghanistan. He achieved Command Pilot Wings. He always remembered New Braunfels fondly from his days at Randolph and chose to retire here.
After retirement he had time to resume his love of music, playing the tuba in the Alzafar Shrine Band in San Antonio, and playing in the Community Band of Comal County almost from its inception until 2002. He also took organ lessons and became an accomplished organist, spending many hours playing big band era music on his Lowrey Organ. He and Mary also travelled extensively both in the US and all over the world. They loved to dance and were member of Carousel Dance Club.
Public visitation will begin Tuesday at Zoeller Funeral Home at 5:00 PM and continue until 7:00 PM. A Graveside Service will be held 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors. Reverend Donald Ofsdahl will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to Wounded Warriors or Hope Hospice of New Braunfels. Harold was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
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