Robert L. Schmidt

Robert L. "Bob" Schmidt, age 85, of Hays, Kansas passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Homestead of Hays Assisted Living. Bob was born August 23, 1937, in Hays, to Victor and Katherine (Meis) Schmidt. He married Margaret Ann Brungardt and they later divorced. Together they had six children, Bob, Don, Jon, Lori, Christa, and Melissa.

Bob’s first jobs were working mostly in construction and usually on the end of a shovel or with a hammer in his hand. He quickly learned that if he ever wanted to earn real money that he would not be able to work for someone else. With this understanding he became a lifelong entrepreneur.

His first “Real” job was selling insurance and he quickly rose to be in the top 10% in his field and was awarded the infamous Insurance Ring. He was also awarded numerous trips to Las Vegas for his outstanding sales performance.

Bob found the Earl Nightingale Success and Motivation Institute and his life changed dramatically. His goal setting started at this time for Family, Monetary and Religious life. With this passion he would accomplish more before his workday started than most would achieve in a full day of work. This determination worked in his Real Estate career, being responsible for erecting over 325 buildings. Setting goals was crucial in his life, which often included him helping his children’s friends, neighborhood children or anyone he could help.

Bob and Marge had immense success as a bowling team and Bob bowled several perfect 300 individual games in his lifetime. As a young parent Bob coached his children’s sport teams and attended as many games as possible. He also enjoyed camping and after a miserable weekend at Cedar Bluff in a tent a good friend, Joe Ward, introduced him to enjoying lake life in the comfort of a cabin. That is all it took for Bob to take down an old barn and build his first of several lake cabins. For over a decade at the lake he enjoyed boating, BBQing, skiing, and sailing.

Another passion for Bob was golf. Although he loved to hunt, fish, play and coach football and baseball it was golf that he often remarked was a real curse to him. He even said it cost him 80,000 because of the time he spent playing golf in a year and not at work or when he wasn’t playing he was always thinking about it. Golf was eventually replaced with Tennis, which Bob thought was a much cheaper pastime.

When Real Estate dropped in the early 1980’s Bob went into semi-retirement and managed the families 58 rental units. In his later years he got back into real estate and rentals, finally retiring just after he turned 80. Bob also had an appliance store and a used car lot during his career.

Bob will always be remembered for his catch phrases, “That’s a lot of steaks and booze,” “Stay the course,” and “What the hell is going on here.” Rest in peace Bob, Dad, and Grandpa.

Bob is survived by three sons, Robert Schmidt Jr. of Lawrence, Kansas, Donald Schmidt (Cheryl Baldwin) Eudora, KS and Jon Schmidt and wife Cindy of Leawood, Kansas; three daughters, Lori Schmidt (Kevin Gardner) of Dallas, Texas, Christa Walter of Hays and Melissa Schmidt of Paola, Kansas; grandchildren, Hannah (Daniel) Brockway, Erin Schmidt (Drew Medermit), Jake (Jessica) Schmidt, Graham Huey, Isaac (Josie) Schmidt, William Schmidt, Andrew Schmidt, and Neil Walter as well as two great grandchildren, May and Elsi Schmidt.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Vernie and Darrell Schmidt and a sister, Jackie Schmidt.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday, June 9, 2023, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Catharine, Kansas. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial visitation will be Thursday 5 PM - 8 PM at Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601. The family is requesting this time to be used for sharing stories and celebrating Bob.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org)

Condolences may be left by Guest Book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com