Thomas E Schmidt

On Tuesday evening, December 30, 2014, Major Thomas Edward Schmidt (United States Air Force, Retired), born August 21, 1929, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, following a brief illness. A remembrance gathering for Major Thomas Edward Schmidt (United States Air Force, Retired) will be held on Saturday, January 10, from 11 am to 2 pm at Trinity at City Beach, 58 Bridge Street, Sandpoint, ID, 83864. From 12 to 1 pm, all who wish to join us at this event are invited to share their stories in this celebration of Tom’s life. The gathering will conclude with Taps at 2 pm. Tom served in the US Air Force from 1951 to 1972, during which time he piloted air resupply B-29 and KC-135 aircraft, and served as a Field Maintenance Officer and Maintenance Supervisor on Thor, Atlas, and Minuteman Missiles. He retired from the Air Force in July of 1972, and moved to Boise, where he worked as a building contractor from 1972 – 1978. He then moved to Sandpoint and was employed by the State of Idaho Bureau of Disaster Services, serving Idaho’s 10 northern counties, from 1978 – 1990. Tom volunteered as a Teacher’s Assistant at Farmin Stidwell Elementary School from 1999 – 2012. Tom was born to Ralph and Elsie in Lima, Ohio, where he attended elementary school. He graduated from high school in Morristown, NJ, and attended Penn State University until enlisting in the Air Force in 1951. Tom completed his AA from Allen Hancock Junior College and his Bachelor of General Studies from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, with a major in mathematics, economics, and military science. Tom married Bettylu Teal in 1953. They had five children: Charles, Sandra, Robert, James, and David. He is preceded in death by Bettylu, Charles and David, as well as two brothers, Carl and James. He married Sarah Barr in February of 1987; Sarah has three children, Timothy, Ann, and Heidi. Tom is also survived by his sister Nancy, his daughters-in-law Becky (married to James), Maggie (married to Robert), and Jodi (married to Timothy); his son-in-law Peter (married to Ann); eleven grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren. Tom spent the early years of his retirement at the home he built on Bottle Bay, where he enjoyed boating, fishing, and manicuring his lawn for croquet tournaments with his family and friends. Once he moved into town, he loved the Festival at Sandpoint just across the street, and frequent lunches out with Sarah. Tom was also known to enjoy a good merlot or a tumbler of scotch. He was loved and will be greatly missed. The family would like to thank Drs. Cope and Crane, their staff, and Bonner Community Hospice for their kind and compassionate care during Tom's illness.