Robert Schmitz Obituary

Robert "Bob" L.
Schmitz
June 27, 1936
October 8, 2024

Robert "Bob" L. Schmitz, of Colorado Springs, was born June 27th, 1936. He passed away at the age of 88 on October 8th, 2024 with his wife by his side.
Born in Hastings, NE, Bob was raised on a farm in Sterling, CO with no indoor plumbing and went to school in a one room school house, at times riding their dairy cow, Goldie, to school and then walking her back home to be milked. The family then moved to Wheatridge, CO where he attended high school. He joined the Marines at the age of 17 and served as a "river rat" on the Mekon river and then in Vietnam.
He was also stationed in Japan and eventually Australia. In Japan, he studied Kempo Karate, a discipline he loved and practiced throughout his life. During his time in the Marines, he was also an embassy guard for numerous officials including Secretary of State Dean Rusk. While stationed as an embassy guard in Laos, he was injured by direct mortar fire while assisting the evacuation of the embassy staff to an American Air base set up in the jungle. Afterwards, Bob was stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, Australia again as an embassy guard. He was chosen to represent the U.S. in his full Marine dress blues holding the American flag in front of the Australian and U.S. War Memorial which was dedicated by the Queen of England and was featured on the cover of Reader's Digest.
During his stint "down under" Bob met his first wife Flora and they had their son, Bob Jr. Bob was a proud veteran and exemplified the motto "Once a Marine always a Marine". After leaving the service, Bob never let the grass grow under his feet and traveled extensively with his family for his numerous careers. After Flora's death from breast cancer in the late 1980's, he moved back to Colorado to be near his son Bob, and it was during this time that he met his wife Jody. They married in 1990 and recently celebrated their 34th anniversary on September 29th, 2024. Bob's son likes to remark that his dad was truly blessed to have 2 such wonderful women in his life.
Bob enjoyed camping, fishing, wildlife, the mountains and scenic drives. Bob and Jody dearly loved the 17 years that they spent living in their sanctuary in the mountains near Florissant, CO and cherished every minute of the time that they spent there enjoying their ponds, wildlife, Bob's studio and Jody's greenhouse. They loved being in nature surrounded by all God's creatures.
Bob is survived by the love of his life wife, Jody; sons, Bob (Julie) of Littleton, CO and Mike (Treva) of Lakewood, CO. Bob also dearly loved and adored his grandchildren, Logan (Lorene), Brandi (Daniel), Lucas (Corrine), Meg (Cade) and Dani. He is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren, his brother-in-law John (Pat) in Australia and many amazing nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. Bob loved his family and his family loved him!
Services will be held in Denver, CO on November the 9th at the Deer Creek Church, 8131 South Pierce, Littleton, CO at 11 :00 am. A lunch reception will follow.
A second service will be held at The Springs Funeral Services, 3115 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO on November 18th at 11:00 am. A short reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, a gift can be made in Bob's name to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo www.cmzoo.org/support/#waystodonate