Steve Schmidt

Steve Schmidt, The voice of the Verde Valley was silenced on Monday, May 14, 2012. Steve who began his life on a dairy farm in Waconia, Minnesota passed into the "Glory Land". You may remember seeing him in parades of years past wearing a mask and cape or introducing the music at Verde Valley Voices' concerts. Schmidt started his adult life by serving four years in the Navy, after which he embarked on a career in small market radio as a DJ. This work ultimately brought him to Arizona, where he also came to be known as the Windshield Doctor. Steve has worn many hats in his 29 years living in the Verde Valley. He loved to greet and guide folks from behind the Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce visitor's counter and could be heard on Yavapai Broadcasting stations promoting Cottonwood as "a nice place to visit, a GREAT place to live." He was happy to serve on many committees, boards and organizations in the Verde Valley including the Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce, Old Town Mission, Verde Valley Humane Society, Cornerstone Christian Academy and Rainbow Acres. He was a favorite emcee at many of these organizations, bringing a sense of humor and welcome to everything he did. Schmidt's father Harold, who is still living, taught him to love cars and Steve owned several classics in which he chauffeured folks about for proms and weddings. He was a devout Christian who liked to work with kids in the Mingus Union High School auto shop car club. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 24th at Westcott Funeral Home on Mingus Avenue in Cottonwood. Steve will be missed by all who knew him, including his wife of 37 years, Kay, their daughter Jessica and Molly the dog. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Rainbow Acres, P.O. Box 1326, Camp Verde, AZ 86322