Robert Schmidt

Robert Godfrey Schmidt, 92, of Kingsport, TN, and formerly of Amherst, OH, passed away peacefully with family at his side on Sunday, August 19, 2018. He was born on July 5, 1926 in Dayton, Ohio.

With an early interest in flying "Bob" sought the life of a pilot but would eventually serve his country as a Naval Corpsman during World War II and the Korean War. At a young age, following his father's lead, Bob began work as a counter clerk in a family-owned drugstore which led him to 59-year career as a pharmacist, serving in various retail establishments and as a hospital administrator in both Ohio and Tennessee. It was his intellect, attention to detail, work ethic, and love of science that led him to a highly-respected security clearance at Bechtel Corporation and still further to a commitment to making a positive impact on agriculture as an avid beekeeper. His community outreach projects included educating parents and children about poison prevention in the home, and in apiary education. In addition to his love of big-band music and P.G. Wodehouse novels, Bob was a gifted craftsman, hobbyist, and musician.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Godfrey Schmidt; sister, Marjorie Thompson; and first wife, Mary Lee Schmidt.

He is survived by his wife, Julie Schmidt; four daughters, Christy Gariety (Tom), Carla Penny (Gary), Roxanne Schmidt (Cliff), and Valerie Schmidt-Gardner (Gerry); six grandchildren, Paul, Sarah, Jim, Deanna, Tiernan, and Eavan; and two great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Sylvia.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 23, 2018, at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. with Rev. Edward W. Myer.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 24, 2018, at John Henry Gardner Memorial Cemetery in Hillsville, VA with Rev. Wendell Horton officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson's Research, Donation Processing
The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014; Tri-Cities Beekeepers Association; Tennessee Beekeepers Association, 3900 Rock Springs Road
Watertown, TN 37184; or The Honey Bee Conservancy, Attn: Finance Team, 23532 Calabasas Road, Suite A, Calabasas, CA 91302.

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