Robert Schmidt

Robert G. Schmidt, age 75 of the Town of Niagara, died unexpectedly on Wednesday April 2, 2014 in Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston. Bob was born October 17, 1938 in Wilkes Barre, PA, the son of the late William and Dorothea (Schnitzer) Schmidt. He was a graduate of Wilkes Barre High School and received his Bachelor of Art Degree from Kings College in Wilkes Barre in June of 1960. In 1962 he received his Master of Arts from Fordham University in New York City. A Vietnam Veteran, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1963 and served with Military Intelligence until his honorable discharge in 1967. He was the recipient of the Marksmanship Medal (M-14), the National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Bob continued to serve his country for the next 37 years with the Immigration and Naturalization Service, first at the Lewiston Queenstown Bridge and then at the Rainbow Bridge. He retired in 2004 as the Assistant Immigration Port Director, responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He was a communicant and very active member of St. Mary of the Cataract RC Church in Niagara Falls. He enjoyed and was very proud of his career. Most of all he loved and was so very proud of his family. Bob is survived by his wife, Kathleen A. (Roblee) Schmidt, whom he married on April 20, 1968. He is also survived by his children, Robert G. (Diane) Schmidt of Antioch, IL, Robin (Takashi) Schmidt-Abe of New York City, NY, Ruth (Joseph) Kasian, IV of Webster, NY, and William Schmidt of Lafayette, LA; his grandchildren, Rebecca and Joseph Kasian, V; and a sister, Margaret Schmidt Wiggs of Orlando, FL. He was predeceased by three half brothers, George, William, and Joseph Schmidt and a half sister, Mary Schmidt Fox. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME N. Fourth & Ridge Streets, Lewiston, on Sunday from 2 - 6 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 7, at 9:30 AM in St. Mary of the Cataract RC Church, 259 Fourth St., Niagara Falls, NY, with the Rev. Jacek P. Mazur officiating followed by Military Honors at the Church. (Please assemble at Church) In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO BOX 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.