Robert Alden Schmidt

On 23 September 2025, a true and dear son of the Black Hills passed away. Robert (Bob) Alden Schmidt passed on peacefully in his sleep in Anthem, Arizona which had been his home since 1999. Bob was born on the 13th of March (a Friday) 1936 in Deadwood, SD to Claude and Rubye Schmidt. His father was an engineer for Homestake Mine and his mother a daughter of Norwegian homesteaders from Eastern SD, who had earlier brought two daughters (Sally and Joan) into the world. Bob attended Lead schools, was a proud Golddigger, played trombone in the band, sang in the choir, and starred in several plays; these skills he later bequeathed to his elder son. He enjoyed hunting with his father in the Black Hills and worked at Homestake mine in the summer months.

He attended the University of Colorado Boulder earning his bachelor’s degree in accounting and business. One summer evening, he attended a dance at a pavilion in Spearfish, South Dakota where he was smitten by a young woman named Prudence (Prue) Edwards who was attending Black Hills Teachers College. He then proceeded to court her and were married on June 30,1956. After graduating from Boulder, Bob and Prue moved to Santa Monica, CA to work for California Bank. It was there they had a son, Mark. After only a few years in California, Bob was diagnosed with ‘late-onset Type 1 diabetes’ and thus began a lifelong relationship with insulin. They elected to return to Rapid City, SD to be closer to family and celebrated the move with the birth of another son, Philip. Bob first managed the business office for Brezina construction and after several years took a position with St John’s Hospital as the office manager. It was during this time that a daughter, Jennifer, was born. Impressed by the selfless devotion of the Catholic Sisters and priests working at the hospital caring for the sick, he and Prue converted to Roman Catholicism.

Bob wanted to own his own business and when the opportunity to purchase Shakey’s Pizza Parlor and Ye Public House was presented, he jumped on it. His background in business and entertainment made this a match made in heaven. Shakey’s became a family enterprise with his wife and all his children employed at the restaurant. Under his leadership, Shakey’s became a favorite destination for pizza and entertainment with live banjo and piano, a ‘kitchen band’, and old movie reels. The stage was often used by local choirs and bands and it was the place for many sports teams (many that he sponsored) to go after games. He was very eager to offer up the use of the facility for Santa Claus as well as numerous fundraisers. His Bunch-of-Lunch buffet was famous throughout the area, even drawing in Korczak Ziolkowski seeking nourishment to continue his work on Crazy Horse. He led from the front, manning the front desk to take orders as people entered with wit and friendly banter. When asked recently about his happiest memories he immediately responded: ‘the customers’. After many years of cooking up pizza and fun, he decided to hang up his apron, bowtie, and Shakey’s skimmer hat. He and Prue decamped to Arizona to be close to his daughter Jennifer’s family. Aside from his business activities, Bob was a passionate football fan, loved to play cards, and to dance with his bride over their 62 years of marriage until her sudden passing in 2018. He especially loved to sing since his early years in choir and musicals. He was likely persuaded to buy Shakey’s in part for the opportunity to sing along with tin pan alley songs. He could match lyrics and songs to any occasion until the week before his passing. Despite life’s ups and downs, Bob remained joyful and grateful, always making the most of every situation, a trait his family admired in him. In his final years, he was known by caregivers to possess a cheerful demeanor and being a pleasure to care for.

Christian faith was essential in Bob’s life. It sustained him in the face of his engagement with diabetes and living on the cusp of life and death every day. It was the foundation for his approach as a husband, father, and community member. After joining the Catholic church, he became a member of the Knights of Columbus, volunteering to assist in numerous charitable activities. Bob was a proud fourth degree Knight and held many leadership positions within the Knights. He and Prue were steadfast members of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne parish in Anthem, Arizona. Beyond talking the talk, Bob walked the walk by contributing and advising on the building of several churches in Rapid City and the Phoenix area including St. Rose. It is for this reason he is referred to by his family as a ‘builder of churches’. Simply said, Bob was a good man.

He was preceded in death by his wife Prue, sister Sally Ahrendt, and grandsons Reid and Evan Schmidt. Bob is survived by a sister, Joan Price who lives in Maryland, a son Mark who lives in Belgium, a son Philip (Jody)who lives in Spearfish South Dakota and a daughter Jennifer (Harald) who lives in Anthem, Arizona; 7 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and another on the way. Numerous nieces and nephews remember him fondly. He will be remembered for his incredible resilience, generosity, and most of all his smile.

Services will be held at St Rose Philippine Duchesne church, 2825 W Rose Canyon Cir, Anthem, AZ 85086 on October 16, 2025, at 10am. Viewing will be available 30 minutes before services and rosary lead by the Knights of Columbus at 9:45.

At his request ‘Take me back to the Black Hills’ (made famous by Doris Day in the film ‘Calamity Jane’) will be sung in his honor.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to:

Hospice of the Valley: https://www.hov.org/1510 E. Flower St. Phoenix, AZ 85014