Richard William Schmidt, Jr.'s Obituary
Richard William Schmidt, Jr., 75, a long-time resident of Lawrence, KS, went to be with his Lord Jesus on Friday, December 16, 2022, at an assisted living community in the Atlanta metro area where he had moved earlier this year. Born on December 18, 1946, in Tacoma, Washington, Rick was the son of Richard William and Charlene (Hedwall) Schmidt and the grandson of German immigrants. He married his beloved Katherine Marie ‘Kathy’ White at the Lawrence Friends Church on August 23, 1969. She preceded him in death in October 2017.
He is lovingly remembered by their three sons and daughters-in-law: Richard W. (Wandamarie) Schmidt III of Perry, Kansas; Eric T. (Carrie) Schmidt of Douglasville, Georgia; and Steven M. (Stephanie) Schmidt of Marietta, Georgia; as well as ten grandchildren (to whom he will always be Papa), his sister-in-law Ruth Schmidt of Oregon & brother-in-law Wes Johnson of Washington, Kathy’s brothers Ed (Peggy) White of Lawrence and Paul (Kathy) White of Wichita, and several cousins-in-law, nieces and nephews across the United States.
In addition to his wife, Rick was preceded in death by his parents, his brother David, his sister Linda, and his brother-in-law Keith White.
Rick graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in milling and worked for McCormick & Company for several years. His last job before retirement was as a plastics & processing engineer for E&E Display Group. He had a lifelong love for learning, as well as interests in history, technology, and science. Rick could (and did!) strike up a conversation with just about anyone, and several of his caregivers from the past year mentioned how much they will miss talking with him. He had a special fondness for breakfast, especially if he could talk one or more of his sons into getting up early to go with him. Most importantly, however, he had loved Jesus since college and knew that leaving his earthly body would mean he was in the Presence of his Savior.
A memorial service for Rick will be held at 3:00pm Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Christ Community Church, 1100 Kasold Dr., Lawrence, KS 66049, with Pastor Jeff Barclay officiating. Burial will be at a later date in a private family gathering at Prairie Center Cemetery. The Davis-Struempf Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. For more information or to post a condolence, please visit www.davisstruempf.com. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Christ Community Church of Lawrence.
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