Robert M. "Bob" Schmitz

Robert "Bob" M. Schmitz, 81, of Richland Center, passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Pine Valley Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center from complications related to frontal lobe dementia. Bob was born October 12, 1942 in Richland Center the son of Leo and Ada Lucille (Maxwell) Schmitz, the youngest of ten siblings. Bob was married on August 31, 1963 to the former Sharon A. Austin, of LaCrosse at Saint Joseph Workman Cathedral in La Crosse.
Bob began working at the age of 10 working for his father at the L.M. Schmitz Salvage and L.M. Fur Company located on Orange Street in Richland Center. Because of his early start in the salvage business, he knew all the parts of an automobile before he could drive.
Both parents died before he was a senior in high school, then living with his brother Eugene and family until he graduated in 1960 from Richland Center High School. Bob then attended tech school in LaCrosse. Bob returned to Richland Center and lived with Jay and Molly Sheafor, hauling cattle being shipped to Puerto Rico. Later living with Harold and Anastasia Burke and working at the Burke's Motor Clinic repairing cars. Bob began his career in high line construction at C.A. Hooper of Madison working in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota. In 1976 he joined Richland Electric Coop of Richland Center as a lineman, line foreman and retired as the line superintendent. While working fulltime he also operated an auto repair shop (with Dan Ferguson) and a snow plowing business. Bob formally retired from REC in 2002, however, why would he quit working? He didn't. Bob continued his snowplowing business, worked as a mechanic for Simpson Ford Tractor and farmed for Matt/Ray Schmitz during harvest time
Bob was a member of St Mary Parish and local Knights of Columbus Richland Center chapter. He served as alderman for the first aldermanic district from 1991-1995. Bob restored several vintage cars, especially proud of a 1951 Chevrolet truck which was transported from California to Richland Center. Bob won many "Best of Show" with his 1951 truck. Bob was a fan of the RC Hornet's wrestling team, the Packers, UW Badgers and Nascar. He loved motorhome camping at Petenwell Lake with family and friends, Euchre, golf, snowmobiling, deer hunting and his numerous bus trips for Nascar races at the Talladega Superspeedway.
Bob was an "all around fixit man" and rarely found an item he could not repair. Along with his mechanical skills, he was a talented woodworker creating and repairing items for family and friends. He enjoyed the time he spent in his shop so much that friends always knew where to find him. It became the place to hang out with Bob and maybe have a beer. Three younger friends (Doug, Darrin and Bernie) actually adopted Bob as their "go to dad".
Bob will be remembered for his dry humor, to the point attitude, stubborn nature, ability to achieve anything he put his mind to, along with his soft heart and willingness to help others. In his quiet way, he loved his family and only wanted the best for those he loved. Bob lived hard, worked hard and played hard. The many special memories of all the friends, young and old, passed on with him.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years Sharon, children, Michele (Shelli) Schmitz (Mike Adler) Middleton, WI and Todd Schmitz (Kerri Molenda) Brooklyn, WI, granddaughter, Morgan Schmitz (Chris Korte) Scottsdale, AZ, sisters, Patty Eickhoff, Cottage Grove and Shirley Cutting, Excelsior, MN, many nieces, nephews, friends and coworkers. He also leaves behind an "adopted" granddaughter Brooklyn (Brent) Schulte, Watertown, SD, Goddaughter, Laura (Freeman) Kaufmann and his beloved dog Sophia Louise.
He was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Lucille Schmitz, two brothers and two sisters-in-laws, Ronald and Eudora Schmitz, Eugene and Sandy Schmitz, five sisters and seven brothers-in laws, Bernadine (Lawrence (Mac) McKenzie, Dorothy and Ted Allain, Vera Jean Boeing, Marjorie and James Mussman. Marlene and Ron Lewis, Taze Eickhoff, Robert Cutting and Robert Klimpen.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 11:30 am at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church with lunch to follow in the church hall. Monsignor Roger Scheckel will officiate. Burial at a later date. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at the Stafford Funeral Home from 9:00 am until 11:15 am then departing for the church.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family to be donated in Bob's memory to the following organizations: Alzheimer, Pine Valley Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center and Agrace
The family would like to thank the staff at Pine Valley Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Agrace and Dr. James Dickman. for the excellent care Bob received.
Online condolences available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com. The Stafford Funeral Home in Richland Center is assisting the family with the arrangements