Robert Joseph Schmitz

On November 6, 2023 Bob Schmitz passed away peacefully at the Asheville V.A. Hospital. In the weeks before his passing, Bob had the opportunity to say goodbye to all his children and reflect on his long, happy, and fruitful life. Mainly he prepared himself to rejoin his beloved wife, Cynthia, in heaven.

Robert Joseph Schmitz was born January 25, 1933, the son of Emil and Kathleen Schmitz of Wheaton, IL, in DuPage County near Chicago. Bob was the grandson of the last professional, working blacksmith in that part of the state. He revered his grandfather and helped him daily at the blacksmith shop where he learned the intricacies of metal working and welding at a young age. His grandparents took him on a grand tour of Europe in the 1930s before WWII, visiting their home towns in Luxembourg and Belgium and nearby Trier. Bob attended St. Michael’s Catholic Grade School in Wheaton, and he remained close with his childhood school friends for the next 80 years, frequently gathering for reunions. During his early school years, his father died of mesothelioma. This had a formative impact on his character. As the oldest child in the family, he was encouraged to develop a very strong sense of personal and familial responsibility. This became a core aspect of his personality that he displayed throughout his life.

Bob attended Wheaton Central High School, and he continued helping his grandfather in the blacksmith shop. He did find time to play sports, and he started as an offensive guard on the football team. He also caddied at the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton. He learned the rudiments of the game that would become a lifelong passion. It was also during high school that the lovely Cynthia Ann Chandler moved from Kansas to Wheaton. Cynthia, the girl next door, became his high school sweetheart, his wife, and his lifelong friend and guide. They were married on August 6, 1953 and they remained very happily married for 60 years until she passed on October 28, 2013. Seldom were two people ever so deeply in love or so connected on each level of their lives. They planned a life together in Wheaton. Bob got a welding job at Danley Machine Company, and he attended night classes at Illinois Tech in Chicago.

However, the Korean War interfered with their plans. Bob enlisted in the Air Force. His electronic skills were so outstanding that after Basic Training and Tech School he was asked to teach basic electronics in Tech School at Chanute AFB in IL. He had follow on assignments to Scott AFB, IL, March AFB, CA, and a year-long deployment to a classified location at the Northern tip of Japan near Russia. He received a top secret clearance and was put to work maintaining the specialized equipment used by linguists and intelligence analysts to monitor Russian activity across the strait. This was another formative event in his life. He remained extremely proud of his service to the country, particularly the sensitive and highly classified part of his military service in Japan.

After his discharge from the Air Force, Bob and Cynthia decided to return to their extended families in Wheaton and take over the blacksmith shop from Bob’s grandfather. The core business of shoeing horses had ended, and Bob decided to take the business in a new direction. His brother, Don, had just returned home from the Army. Together they decided to found Schmitz Lawn and Garden Equipment, which became the largest and most trusted lawn and garden business in the county. The “shop,” as they called it, was located within walking distance of Bob’s house, his sister’s house, and only a mile away from his brother’s house. The families were very close, and they celebrated all the holidays and life events together. During this time Bob and Cynthia remained active at his childhood church, St Michael’s, and he joined the VFW and the Moose Club. He continued to improve his already worthy golf game. Bob and Don sold the shop in 1985. Cynthia began to suffer from Multiple Sclerosis. In 1993 they decided to relocate to Franklin NC to improve her health. They designed and built a house in Franklin which they lovingly maintained over the years and turned into a true showplace. It became the central meeting point for the family over summer holidays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Bob continued selflessly caring for Cynthia as her health deteriorated. She never had to leave her beloved house in the mountains, and she passed away at home, surrounded by family, at 80 years of age.

Robert and Cynthia were married 60 years. There have 16 grand children and 29 great grandchildren. His brother Don is deceased. He is survived by his sister Mary Vines of Andalusia Alabama and four children, Joseph(Audrey) Schmitz of Warner Robbins GA, Larry (Cathy)Schmitz of Savannah GA, Ralph(Lori) Schmitz of Woodbury TN and Lisa (Bob) Herrera nee Schmitz of Hendersonville NC.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the National MS Society online at www.nationalmssociety.org.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.