Bruno Hans Schmidt

Bruno Hans SCHMIDT Born September 17, 1905 in Wilhelmshaven, Germany to August Wilhelm Schmidt, Jr. and Martha Krone. He had two brothers, Richard and Evald and a sister, Louisa (Lucie) Bredlow. He married Margarete Ruger in 1932, who bore two sons, Hans Walter and Richard Frederick (deceased '86); grandchildren, Kurt, Karl, Ashley (Cricket) and Erik and great-granddaughter, Madeline (Maddie). Bruno died on March 20, 2004. He was raised as the youngest son of the Lockmaster at the Navy installation in Wilhelmshaven, who had many schoolboy adventures centering on the pre-war Navy and of life on the shores of the North Sea. Graduation from high school sent him into the merchant trade. Post war German economy was extremely difficult. He seized the opportunity to be a ship's steward and departed Germany forever at the age of 17! He worked for various shipping firms in the 1920's, but primarily banana boats in South America. While purser aboard the passenger ship "BREMEN", he met his wife-to-be, Margarete. In 1928, he went shore side and immigrated to the US, via New York City. Settling in New Jersey, he worked various sales areas and as his knowledge of the language improved, so did his stature and means. The family became four with the arrival of Walter and Richard. A small house and farm were traded for some Florida waterfront in the 1960's, where they retired and again had his seaside life. In 1990, they moved to Ballard to be nearer surviving family. He especially enjoyed Ballard due to his memories of Oslo and the sea. Bruno was a young adventurer, a charming man who had a special way with the fairer gender and was a prolific storyteller. All his stories ended with a knowing smile. I know he smiles now. Arrangements entrusted to Wiggen & Sons Funeral Home, 2003 N.W. 57th St., Seattle, WA.