Robert Joseph Schmidt

Robert Schmidt, beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away in Olathe, Kansas, on February 27, 2026, at age 75.

He was born on October 3, 1950, in Seneca, Kansas, to Leo and Viola (Roeder) Schmidt. When he was six years old, he entered the Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe. In 1973, he began working at Johnson County Developmental Supports in Lenexa, Kansas. He spent his entire career there retiring in 2025.

Robert enjoyed bowling, fishing, playing cards and board games, and attending Royals and Storm Chasers baseball games. He enjoyed family vacations to Colorado, South Dakota, and throughout the Midwest. Spending time fishing and boating at his sister's Tennessee lake home was his favorite. Thanksgiving and Christmas were Robert's favorite holidays. He particularly enjoyed this time with his nieces and nephews and later on, his grandnieces and grandnephews. Robert was part of a tight knit community at JCDS where he developed lifelong friendships. He will be remembered for his kind and thoughtful spirit.

Survivors include his sisters Mary Ann Goldstein of Kansas City, MO, Jean Stillmock (Bill) of Omaha, NE,, Donna Heffner (Michael) of Kansas City, MO, nieces Kara Stillmock, Jill Fudge, Jennifer Hearn, Ann Lane, Elizabeth Sullivan, nephew Matt Heffner and several grandnieces and grandnephews. Also, a large community of lifelong friends in the JCDS community mourn his passing.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Regis Schmidt and Jim Schmidt of Baileyville, sister Alice Sullivan of Kennesaw, GA, and Ted Heffner of Kansas City, MO.

A rosary will be prayed just before the mass. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM Friday, March 6, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. The burial will be in the church cemetery.

The family suggests memorials in Robert's name to Friends of JCDS in care of Lauer Funeral Home, 212 S. St., Seneca, KS 66538.