Bob Schmidt

Bob Schmidt, (83), of Santa Rosa, California, passed away on September 3, 2023, surrounded by his family.

Robert, fondly known as Bob, was born to Herman and Dorothy Schmidt of Germany on September 6, 1939 in San Francisco, California. A proud native San Franciscan from the Mission District and graduate of Mission High School in 1957. He was a talented athlete who loved baseball and golf. Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals as a pitcher, he chose the U.S. Army where he served as a Medic, stationed at Fort Ord in Monterey, California. Bob married Sharon A. Schmidt (Whitman) of San Francisco, California in 1962.

Bob and Sharon's second daughter, Kimberley, preceded their deaths, unexpectedly at the age of 13 in 1981 from complications with juvenile diabetes. Bob then survived his wife Sharon in 2011, after almost 50 years of marriage. Bob is survived by three remaining children. His youngest daughter, Sheila Edwards (Michael) of Santa Rosa, and his grandchildren Avery and Mason. His oldest daughter, Lianne Sussman of Santa Rosa, and his grandchildren Michelle and Michael, and great-grandchildren Piper and Liam. His only son, Ken Schmidt (Emiko Oshima) of Tracy, California, and grandchildren Hana and Hina. Bob's longtime friend of 60+ years, Chris Maganaris of San Francisco also preceded his death in 2005, and brief friendship and marriage of his second wife, Beth Sereni in 2020.

Bob spent 25 years managing the shipping desk at McGraw Hill Book Corporation before transferring to Santa Rosa Junior College Bookstore where he retired in operations. He often worked two jobs to help provide better opportunities for his children, such as private schools and travel sports. He cherished time with his kid's activities, especially sports, and was often the announcer for swimming races with the Santa Rosa Neptunes. He loved the San Francisco Giants since they arrived in 1958, attended each of the six World Series in San Francisco from 1962 to 2014, and has a personalized commemorative brick embedded at the Giants ballpark.

Aside from his love for baseball, Bob was passionate about golf. At 19 years old, he shot the lowest known score of 64 at the SF City Tournament which is still unmatched 65 years later. A well-known scratch golfer, and holder of 4 hole-in-ones, Bob won many tournaments throughout Northern California, including Santa Rosa's inaugural Oakmont Championship in 1966, where ironically he retired before passing.

Funeral arrangements are private. His remains will be interred with his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Kimberley at Calvary Cemetery in Santa Rosa. In lieu of flowers, Bob would appreciate donations to the Childcare, Camp, and Recreational programs of the American Diabetes Association at American Diabetes Association Research, Education, Advocacy in the name of his daughter Kimberley Francis Schmidt.