Robert E. Schmidt

Robert Emil Schmidt of Armonk, New York, died November 21, 2010, in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, where he was lovingly cared for during his final days. He was born March 3, 1926, in Huntington, New York, to Adolph L. and Erna Kammerer Schmidt. Following graduation from Westbury High School, he served in the U.S. Navy at the close of the Second World War (1944-1946) and then attended Cornell University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree in 1950. He began his engineering career at National Cash Register in Ithaca, New York; he also worked briefly for Westinghouse in New York City. His career with Nestlé began in 1955; he retired in 1991 as Vice President of Nestlé Services, Inc.

He married Edith Bunnell Bennett on Sept. 19, 1953; she predeceased him in 2003.

Bob served on the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Town of North Castle for 40 years, including 33 years as Chairman, retiring just this year. He was very active at his church (First Church of Christ, Scientist, White Plains-Scarsdale) serving at different times as usher, Reading Room atten- dant, treasurer, soloist, reader, and Board member. He also was a tenor in the Westchester Choral Society for the last 10 years.

Bob will be remembered for his openness for adventure. He skied for over 50 years and looked forward to his annual Colorado ski trips with his son, enjoying his final such trip in March of this year. He took up flying in 2004 and enjoyed his lessons in Maine and Colorado. He was an avid painter, a sailor, a car racing enthusiast, a fine home cook, and a student of languages. He loved to travel. An only child, he was delighted to be ‘dis- covered’ in 2000 by his many relatives still in Germany; a highlight of his retirement was taking his U.S. family with him to a huge family reunion in Germany in 2001.

He also dearly loved the Lakes Region of Maine, where he went once as a child and returned later with his family during almost 50 summers. He supported the Greater Lovell Land Trust, the Kezar Lake Watershed Association, the Lovell Historical Society, and the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library. He is survived by his son, Douglas Schmidt (Deb) of Longmont, Colorado, and his daughter, Sukey Barthelmess (Kris) of Suffield, Connecticut. He is also survived by his granddaughters, Sarah Schmidt Papa (Jordan) and Amy Thyng Schmidt.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 2:00 p.m. at the Ballard-Durand Funeral Home, 2 Maple Avenue, White Plains, New York. Memorial gifts may be made to the Westchester Choral Society (216 Central Ave., White Plains, NY 10606) or the Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association (910 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467).