Robert James Schmitz passed peacefully with his family by his side on November 6, 2023. Bob was born on February 12, 1945, in Omaha, Nebraska to Harry and Elsie Mae Schmitz. He was the youngest of three boys in the family.
Bob joined the Navy Reserves out of high school when he was barely 17 years old in 1962. He went to Creighton University for two years when he was called to active duty with the Navy in 1965. He served in Vietnam on a hospital ship. He was honorably discharged in 1967.
Bob met his long-time love, Margaret Schmitz, at the Omaha pharmacy where they both worked. Bob stocked shelves and Margaret worked behind the soda fountain. They later married in 1969 and remained together for 54 years until his passing. Bob and Margaret had four children: Michelle, Nicole (Fraser) and twins Christopher and Danielle (Fredericks). He was truly a devoted husband, father and grandfather who worked hard his whole life to ensure his family had all they needed.
Bob worked for Albertsons for 25 years and moved his family to Boise in 1988 where he worked for the supermarket chain as a buyer. His work took him across the globe to places like Hong Kong, the Philippines, and New York City. He then worked for Walgreens for 15 years.
Bob is proceeded in his death by his parents, Harry and Elsie Mae, as well as his brother, Ronald. He is survived by his brother, Gary, his wife, Margaret, as well as their four children, Michelle, Nicole (Fraser), Christopher and Danielle (Fredericks) and five grandchildren (Austin Hanneman, Robert and Elizabeth Fraser, Jade and Alexander Fredericks).
A memorial service will be held for Bob on November 21, 2023 at the Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Idaho at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in his name.