Robert A. Schmidt

Robert A. Schmidt, 86, departed this life peacefully Dec. 29th, 2014. He was born in San Antonio, TX January 11, 1928, lived in Kansas City, Mo as a child, moved to Oklahoma City, then to Harrison, AR.
He went into the Navy in 1946, served 2 yrs., then returned to Oklahoma City. He worked in a saddle shop as an apprentice to build boots, shoes, saddles and horse gear. He started working in the Fire Dept. in Okla. City in 1952.
On March 28th, 1952 he and Nita Holcomb were married. He worked at the Naval Station in Norman, Okla. as a fireman. In 1956, he was hired at Shepherd AF Base and worked in the Fire department for 2 years.
In 1958 he moved to Colo. Springs and worked in the fire dept. at the AF Academy until he retired in 1978. He moved his family to the Bitterroot Valley to retire.
He always did leather work on his days off, had several shops and finally moved it all to his home. He had great interest in the Fur Trade Era and built many saddles, boots, shoes, and clothing for that era.
He loved to read and study history, went to many museums to photograph items that he would try to produce and he shipped many saddles and other horse gear all over the nation and to other countries.
He is survived by his wife, Nita, his sons, Robert Allen (Nancy) of Colorado Springs, Michael of Grand Junction, CO, David Wayne, (Susanne) Corvallis, MT; 9 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, a brother Howard L. Schmidt (Carol) of Moore, OK, and sister Margaret Gadbury (Glen) of Burleson, TX.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard W. and Nora Schmidt.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Corvallis Community Church, Bldg. fund, NMLRA, AMM or to a charity of your choice.