Robert 'Bob' Stanley Schmidt

Robert “Bob” S. Schmidt Sr., 85, of Camillus, passed away Sunday, October 25, 2009 at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. He was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin on Friday, March 7, 1924 and was the son of Stanley W. and Ruth Katharine Hammer Schmidt. He was raised in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin until moving to Burnett, Wisconsin where he lived for 14 years. Bob lived in Camillus since 1972 and wintered in Largo, Florida since 1990. He received a degree in dairy science from the University of Wisconsin in 1950. Employed by Borden, Inc. in Syracuse; Indianapolis and South Bend, Indiana; Detroit, Michigan; and Fort Wayne, Indiana, he retired in 1990 after 40 years. Bob was also employed by the Alaskan Highway during the winter of 1942-1943. A Navy Seabees veteran of World War II, he was a member of Navy Seabees Island x19. He was also a member of VFW Post 9643 in Largo, Florida and Camillus Sportsmen's Club. He was a volunteer for Camillus Erie Canal Park and Meals on Wheels. He was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church. Bob was predeceased by his brothers, Bernard, Eugene, and Lester. Surviving are his wife of 58 years, the former Geraldine Schratz; daughters and sons-in-law, Virginia and Peter Iwanicki of Skaneateles, Suellen and Henry Cornett of Emerson, Arizona, Mary and Robb Ford of Baldwinsville and Lucy and Edward Milliken of Fresno, Ohio; sons and daughters-in-law, Robert Jr. and Marilyn of Bremen, Indiana, Timothy and Glenda of Sutherlin, Oregon, Edward of Lititz, Pennsylvania, John and Ruby of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, F. Patrick and Kim of Safety Harbor, Florida and Andrew and Becca of Pompey; sister, Patricia Keel of Princeton, Wisconsin; 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 29, 2009 in St. Joseph’s Church. Relatives and friends may call Wednesday, October 28, 2009 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus. Bob will be laid to rest at the convenience of the family in Greenlawn Cemetery, Warners. Contributions may be made to Camillus Canal Society, Inc., 5459 Pebble Beach Dr., Camillus, NY 13031.