November 14, 1936 - July 14, 2018

Richard ‘Rich’ Thomas Schmidt, 81, of Racine, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Ascension All Saints.

He was born on November 14, 1936 to the late Sanford E. and Luella I. (Allen) Schmidt in Kenosha.  He was educated in the schools of Kenosha and attended Mary D. Bradford High School, graduating from St. Joseph’s High School in 1959.

In November of 1959 he married Jerelyn Wruck in Waukegan.  She preceded him in death in May of 1964.  On April 3, 1965 he married Cheryl Tinnell at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Rich worked as a quality control manager at OMC from 1968, retiring in 1984, Ganton from 1984 to 1991, then at Pinnacle Precision, retiring in 1998.

Rich loved the outdoors, birds, flowers, gardening, wood carving, wood turning and oil painting.  Rich and Cheri traveled the US extensively and enjoyed taking cruises around the world.  Rich loved to dabble in everything.  When something struck his curiosity, he pursued it with a deep passion.   Rich loved spending time with his family and grandchildren, teaching them to appreciate the simple things in life, the serenity and beauty of nature, and that life is fun.

Rich is survived by his wife Cheryl, his children Jeani Schmidt of Kenosha, Leigh LaJeunesse of Wauchula, FL, Steven (Kim) Schmidt of West Bend and Rae (Jon) McClain of Milwaukee, his grandchildren Jaclyn LaJeunesse, Danielle (Alex) LaJeunesse, Kilea (Justin) Steinke, Tyler Darrell and Alexandra and Isabel McClain, one great grandson and granddaughter expected in October. He is also survived by his siblings Ted (Lee) Schmidt of Kenosha, Barbara (Bruce) Dunbar of Sacramento, CA, Gary Schmidt of Tomah, Larry Schmidt of Kenosha, and Penny Harbison of Dayton, OH.

He is preceded in death by his sisters Connie Quarders, Delores Schmidt, and his brothers Robert, William, and James Schmidt.

A Celebration of Life for Richard will be held on Thursday, July 19^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Bruch Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until the time of service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Heart/Lung Association, or the American Cancer Society or to the Juvenile Diabetes Association would be appreciated.

http://www.bruchfuneralhome.net/obituary/richard-schmidt?lud=A400D79F248FF8FCAFFECFFE880FB071