Henry Schmitt Obituary

Schmitt Jr., MD

Henry "Hank" Joseph

Schmitt Jr., MD

February 13, 1932

June 5, 2021



Hank always said Friday the 13th was the luckiest day, when he was born in 1932 to Rose Carr Schmitt and Henry Joseph Schmitt, DDS, in Donora, PA. His upbringing was filled with humorous tales of high adventure, which Hank shared freely with all who would listen. He truly loved and was loved by his family.

After graduating from Villanova University in 1953, Hank then completed his medical degree at Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, PA. He married Martha Jean Brackemeyer and joined the U.S. Air Force. Hank attributed his surgical acumen to the expert training at Wilford Hall Military Hospital in San Antonio, TX. The "fabled" stories of his service life as a surgeon during the Vietnam War, and afterward, as Chief of Surgery at The Air Force Academy Hospital, were often recanted to his children and grandchildren.

In 1971, Hank started a private surgical practice in Colorado Springs, CO, making more friends and more stories. He was proud to practice medicine until he was 80 years old, entertaining patients and colleagues with tales and jokes. He often quoted "It isn't work if you don't think it is".

Hank loved a good many hunting and fishing trips with his brothers and friends. His fish fries and smoked salmon were renowned. He loved training his dogs, who gave him countless hours of hunting pleasure, and more stories.

Hank traveled with friends and family all over the world. He lived a full and rich life, and left words of wisdom to his children and grandchildren: "Always be a gentleman(woman), Never knowingly give insult to anyone, Be a sponge, Follow the Golden Rule, and Sound mind, sound body".

Hank was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Joseph (Joe) Schmitt, DDS, William (Bill) Schmitt, DDS, his sister Margaret (Peggie) Schmitt and former wife Martha Brackemeyer Schmitt. Surviving siblings are Thomas (Donna) Schmitt, MD, Jack (Casey) Schmitt, Rose (Jack) Keene, MaryAnn Goodrum, and sister-in-law Arlene (Joe) Schmitt. Also surviving are his son Edward Schmitt, MD, (son Benjamin, wife Emily and sons Hunter and Charlie, and daughters Nikki and Aimee), daughters Helen Gray (husband Paul), Susie Cero, MD (husband Mike and children Olivia, Sophia and Will) and Annie Schmitt (husband Douglass Edmundson).

One of his favorite sayings, "I feel sorry for anyone who isn't me", rang true up to the end, when he died peacefully at home surrounded by his sons Michael Joseph and Lucas Henry Schmitt and his wife of 30 years, JoAnn Ober Schmitt.

Hank will be interred with full military honors at a later date, at Pikes Peak National Cemetery. We will miss him dearly but will "Adapt and Overcome", and will have a wee nip for him.

A "Party for Hank" will be held at The Cheyenne Mountain Resort on Saturday August 21st, from 11am to 2pm, with a special presentation at 12 pm.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the charity of one's choice, in Hank's memory.