Schmidt, Robin A.
1930 - 2021
Robin A. Schmidt, age 91, of Upper Arlington, died peacefully at home July 11. He was born on April 2, 1930, on the Hilltop, Columbus, Ohio. He was a graduate of West High, class of '49. Robin and several classmates joined the Marine Corps Reserve in 1948, a proud member of Company "C." After training was complete, he left Camp Pendleton, CA, and landed at Wonson Harbor in North Korea on November 10, 1950. As a sergeant and gun squad leader, he led a march in the epic battle at the Chosin Reservoir. During the spring offensive of 1951, he led his squad in two other major battles: Operation Killer, where he was awarded the Purple Heart, and Operation Ripper. After being discharged from the Marines, he enrolled at The Ohio State University to pursue his love of art. While at OSU, he received three letters in lacrosse, served as President of the Varsity "O" Association and served on Student Council. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and continued to serve them throughout his lifetime. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1956. He met his wife that year at a Northwestern/OSU game; they married June 8, 1957. Robin was an Interior Designer, starting his own company, Robin Schmidt Design, Inc., in 1986. Prior to that, he worked as a designer for Columbus Showcase (1956-1958), then as Executive Vice President and Director of Store Design at Abel Corp. (1958-1965) before moving on to Shoe Corp. of America as Director of Store Planning (1965-1986). He was a professional member of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID) and was active on a local and national level. In 2003, he was elected to the College of Fellowship of ASID (FASID). Robin and his wife were a committed team and involved in many community activities. Saturday OSU home football games took precedence, tailgating with their college buddies, family and anyone who walked by. He was a Life Member of the Ohio State University Alumni Association, member of the Ohio State University Golf Club, the Ohio Arts Council, the Liturgical Arts Guild, Chairman of the Greater Columbus Arts Festival in 1975, Board Member of Greater Columbus Arts Council, Instructor of Commercial Interior Design at CCAD, President of Capitol Square Ministries (1981), Fellowship of Christian Athletes, President of West High Alumni Association (2007-2008), West High Hall of Fame (inducted 2018), Master Mason Hilltop Lodge, American Legion #614, Member Covenant Presbyterian Church. Predeceased by mother Mabel A. Carlisle. Survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Janice; daughters, Shely McBride (Jay Girard) and Robin (Dean) Lucas; son, Jay (Deborah) Schmidt; grandsons, Andrew (Courtney) McBride, Kyle Lucas, Connor Lucas, Tyler, Davis, Turner and Dayne Schmidt; and great-grandsons, Matthew, Jake and Will; and a great-granddaughter due this summer; step-grandchildren, Don Girard, Karen (Michael Meaney) Girard, Christopher Grames, Melody Grames; brother and sister-in-law, John and Jenny Russell; and cousin, John Poenish. He was and will always remain our super hero. 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Celebration of life to be held Saturday, August 21, at 1pm with visitation to follow until 4pm at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus 43221. A major highlight of Robin's life happened in 2013, when he and his great friend, Jack Kelly, were among the first Korean War Veterans to take an Honor Flight to visit the war memorial in Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Honor Flight, Inc., 2233 N. Bank Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43220, www.honorflightcmh.com. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.schoedinger.com.

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Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Jul. 13 to Jul. 18, 2021.