Obituary of Robert A. Schmidt

Robert A. Schmidt, age 85 of Lewiston, died Tuesday April 13, 2010 in Millard Fillmore Gate Circle Hospital in Buffalo, after a long illness. Robert was born April 13, 1925 in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of the late Harold and Helen (Zapotoczky) Schmidt. A veteran of WW II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October of 1943. He served in the Pacific Theatre and was the recipient of the Pacific Theatre Ribbon with three battle stars, as well as the American Theatre Ribbon and the WW II Victory Ribbon. Robert was honorably discharged in January of 1946 with the rank of Radarman 3rd Class. He had attended Potsdam University and began working for Continental Insurance Company in Buffalo as an Auditor, retiring in 1987. Robert was a member of the American Legion in Hamburg and he enjoyed maintaining his home. He was predeceased by his first wife of 52 years, Betty (Roberts) Schmidt. On August 2, 2003 he married Margaret M. (Zastrow) Schmidt. He is survived by his wife Margaret; his children, Janis Southerden of Annandale, VA and Robert (Ruby) Schmidt of Skillman, VA; his grandchildren, Katie Schmidt and Matthew Southerden; his great grandchildren, Mark and Brian Southerden; his step children, Douglas Zastrow of Cheektowaga, Roxanne (Gary) Benton and Dale (Trisha) Zastrow both of Wilson, and Crystal Schultz of Gainesville, GA; two brothers, Fred (Anne) Schmidt of Lewiston and Harold "Pete" Schmidt of San Diego, CA; two sisters, Shirley Schmidt of St. Louis, MO and Carol Anne Clagg of McAlister, OK; 10 step grandchildren and 11 step great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister, Helen Buell. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Streets, Lewiston on Thursday from 4 - 8 pm. Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 16, at 11:00 AM in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 400 Ridge St., Lewiston, with the Rev. Susan Keppy officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Acacia Park Cemetery, Town of Pendleton. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 101 John James Audubon Pkwy., Amherst, NY 14228. .