Roger Norman Schmidt

The world lost a great man 10/18/24. Roger Schmidt passed peacefully wrapped in his daughter's arms with more love than could fit in the room. As the sun set, he folded his hands together over his chest and decided to go quickly. No pain, no medication until the last five minutes, and he was well aware of what was happening as he stoically transferred consciousness. It was exactly the way he wanted it.

Dad did a lot of amazing things in his lifetime. This photo is when he was championing solar energy for the world with new heat transfer technology. This is when he started racking up patents, somewhere over 50 in all. He traveled the world, was a featured guest on the Today Show, and as a special governmental guest in the UK., Italy, and Australia to name a few. He was very handsome and was often confused with Don Meredith during this period which he always dismissed incredulously.

He went on to another great feat - bringing GPS to market for the aviation industry. That, of course, would have been done eventually by someone else if he hadn't done it, but I was there the day he realized that the FAA could pay for it and Honeywell could develop it. He predicted the future and told me we'd all have GPS in our cars and watches - this was well before cell phones even existed.

His last great push for technology was to bring a new relatively inexpensive infrared camera to market with his own company. This was in partnership with Honeywell and some of his favorite days were tinkering at the work tables on the cameras themselves. These hand held devices take thermal images of buildings, electrical lines and even humans as they pass through security. This company went on to become part of Fluke Corporation. Dad wore a Fluke fleece vest just about every day for the rest of his life. He was very proud of pulling this venture together after retiring from Honeywell.

Roger was so smart with mathematics and engineering. He graduated from the U of M in the 50's for both undergrad and with a masters all the while struggling with extreme dyslexia. He went on to write successfully proposal after proposal without ever being diagnosed until his 40s. He somehow trained his brain to read and write slowly and deliberately. He continued to love to read the signs when we went on his many health visits mostly for rehab of his weak right leg.

Dad wasn't what you'd say lucky in love for the long term. All three women in his life left him, the first two for other men and the last one because she didn't want to see him die. I will say that he didn't let this affect what he instilled in me - "the do the right thing" gene. When my Mom was dying and destitute he paid for her private room. When his second wife wanted him to give up the home he designed on Bass Lake he did it. When his last girlfriend wanted him to give up his beloved Lake Minnetonka home and pay rent at her property - he did it. He was loyal to a fault, and most of the time did what others wanted over his own desires.

As you can well imagine, my Poppy wasn't around a whole lot for my brother, and myself until later in life. He was, however, a fantastic provider and took us on trips to Europe, Fort Myers, the Gunflint Trail, and Lake Namakan and more. Emotionally, he struggled with closeness, but I didn't let that stop me from visiting him everyday the last three weeks of his life.

He told me he wanted to be remembered as a gentle person. I was surprised by that because he was so smart, and strong, and his amazing accomplishments were so world changing that I found this curious.

So I'll end with a memory at Bass Lake. Dad started crying, and shoved his hands in his pockets standing in the cul-de-sac. Mom had just driven home, and told him something before pulling up into our driveway. Dad turned and kicked a rock across to the curb, then walked up into the yard with tears dropping off his cheeks onto his work shirt. Mom had had to put down our golden retriever Bambi that day, and Dad had wanted to be there. He wanted to hold her, say goodbye, and love her while she crossed over.

I held you Dad and I love you, and I'll try to tell more of your stories of gentleness for the rest of my life.

Roger was cremated and a celebration of life was held for immediate family June 19th on Lake Minnetonka. If you'd like to donate anything in his memory please consider one of his favorite organizations:

HIs alma mater Gustavus Adolphus: https://gustavus.edu/giving/

His alma mater University of Minnesota: https://give.umn.edu/

Or The Salvation Army: https://give.salvationarmyusa.org

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