Bob Schmidt
Robert Allen Schmidt, 83, of Sun City, Arizona, died Sept. 13, 2019, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on his way home after visiting with family and friends in Holyoke and Denver. He was extremely proud to have been from Holyoke and visited many times throughout his life after moving to Denver after graduating from Phillips County High School in 1954.
After moving to Denver, he married Charlotte Worley from Holyoke in 1956. Bob worked in the construction industry until he joined the Denver Fire Department in 1966 and retired in 1995. His career with the Denver Fire Department was the proudest accomplishment of his life. His brotherhood of firefighters were his strongest connection and long-lasting friends until the end.
The fire department in Albuquerque was among the brotherhood of firefighters and cared for him at the end and notified their brothers in Denver of his passing. Bob’s homes were always decorated proudly with his firefighter memorabilia, which included remembrances of his involvement in building the 9/11 memorial in downtown Denver. Some of his last days included golfing with his firefighter friends at the annual 9/11 golf tournament in Denver.
Bob’s time in Arizona was spent working in his yard, golfing, traveling by RV throughout the country, and being with friends and family who came to visit often.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte, in 2017.
He is survived by his three daughters, Karen Vander Ark and Tom, Christine Schmidt, and Robin Bardwell and Mitch; grandchildren, Caroline Vander Ark and Ryan Davis, Jeana Altom, Melyssa Fink, Katie Vander Ark, Jason Fink, and Ryan Bardwell and Shelly; and great-granddaughters, Charli and Ayden Davis and Aubrey Bardwell. Bob is also survived by his sisters-in law, Mary Belle Rafert, Ellen Monasmith and Tom, and Louise Worley. Other relatives include nieces and nephews, Jackie Linnenbrink, Cindy Rafert, Lennie Rafert, Lyle Worley, Linda Worley, Aaron Worley, Brian Worley, Sheila McGee and Jim Jenkins. Bob also leaves many dear friends in Colorado and Arizona, whom he had the greatest pleasure visiting with throughout his life.