Robert H. Schmidt

MONONA – Robert H. “Bob” Schmidt, age 96, of Monona, formerly of West Hartford, Conn., died peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, under the amazing care of staff from Agrace HospiceCare and Heritage Assisted Living in Monona. Bob was born on October 17, 1917, in Tess Corners, Wis., on the family farm which eventually became Schmidt Park in the City of Muskego. He was a service mechanic for Kearney and Trecker for more than 45 years working throughout the eastern US. He was never shy about challenging the “system” or in sharing his opinions, often stating “If it weren’t for FDR and Social Security, I’d be a pauper!” He and his wife, Rita (Meyer), who preceded him in death, raised four daughters in West Hartford Conn., where tennis and gardening became a major part of his life. He is survived by his older brother, John of Milwaukee, who called him every day; and his daughters, Robin Schmidt (Bohn) of Monona, Nancy Schmidt (Chapman) of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, Shirley Levine of West Hartford, Conn. and Carole Dorman of Plainville, Conn.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He asked for no service and his ashes will be returned to the earth on familiar land in Wisconsin. Bob would want memorials to organizations that work for the “common” man, such as Wisconsin Progress or OneWisconsinNow, or to Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.