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Obituary for Gary Schmidt
MADISON - Gary Robert Schmidt, age 60, passed away on April 12, 2015, after a long battle with illness. He faced multiple medical challenges with knowledge, grace, and courage.
Gary was born on May 15, 1954 in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin to Ken and Lois Schmidt. After graduating from Whitefish Bay High School, Gary attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received his degree in pharmacy in 1979. It was there he reconnected with his high school classmate and the love of his life, Laurie Kaufman, who he married in 1978.
After completing a pharmacy residency in Tampa, Florida, Gary took a job as a pharmacist at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison. Gary worked as a VA pharmacist for 27 years.
Gary truly loved his job and the opportunity to help others on a daily basis. For his service, he received the Hands and Heart Award, given to employees whose dedication to Veterans is marked by the highest standards in patient care.
Outside from work, Gary's greatest enjoyment was being with his family. He had a passion for sports and coaching his two sons. Whether it was soccer, basketball or baseball, Gary always found a way to be on the sidelines. Gary was an avid Packer, Brewer and Badger fan. He relished the victories, and had plenty of constructive criticism for the defeats.
Gary was truly a joy to be around. A kind and considerate man, Gary always took time out for others. With a quick wit and a smile, Gary's jokes would light up a room. He taught us not to sweat the small stuff. He will sadly be missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ken Schmidt. He is survived by his wife, Laurie; sons Brian (Christine Khosropour) of Seattle, Washingston and Steven of Minneapolis, Minnesota; mother Lois of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin; sister Debbie (Gary) Hegstrom of Lake Mills, Wisconsin; aunt Nancy Ostermann (the late Ted); father and mother-in-Law, Bernard and Sylvia Kaufman, brother and sisters-in-law, Ellen and Ben Mandelman, Jan (the late Gary) Kaufman, cousins Linda Jorve and Ellen Ostermann and nieces and nephews Jeff (Kelli) Hegstrom, Joel and Emily Mandelman, Aaron, Noah, Anna, (Dave Springob), Asher Kaufman and numerous other family and friends.
The family would like to thank the many health care professionals including those at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics for the care that they provided Gary over the years. Your care, skill, and kindness do not go unnoticed.
Funeral Service will be Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at 12:30 pm at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison, WI. Friends and family may call from 11 am until time of service. Interment will immediately follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wisconsin Chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), 1126 S. 70th St., West Allis, WI 53214 or a charity of your choice. Please share your memories at www.CressFuneralService.com
Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434
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Susan Pinkus
I am so sorry to hear about Gary's passing. My heartfelt condolences to Laurie and all of his family and friends.
Suzy Shaw
I am saddened by Gary's passing he was truly one of the nicest persons. We went from Kindergarden thru highschool, and I always followed him in line ups, our birthdays were one week apart and we alwasy celebrated together. I fondly remember him everytime I passed his parents house . My sympathy to Laurie and his family, what a wonderful person, who will be missed.
Deborah Johnson (de La Reguera)
I am saddened to hear of Gary's passing. He was a wonderful person and left this world too soon. My thoughts and prayers to his family.
Joan Goelzer (Johanson)
I am saddened by this loss. Gary journeyed from kindergarten through high school with us...always as one of the nicest people in the school. Laurie, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones...
Anne Glicklich (Bucheger)
so sorry to hear of Gary's passing, hoping he went gracefully. Gary was always friendly to me even though I did not know him well in high a cool. He was always friendly when we ran into each other in Madison as adults. Laurie, my heart goes out to you. I mean it when I say, look me up if you want another local friend to lean on or talk to. We have all been through hard times of one kind or another... Can't have too ma
Jeanmarie Schuler (Bascom)
I am so sorry to hear this news. Laurie, you and your family are in my heart. Jeanmarie
Bruce Brewer
Gary was my first kindergarten friend in Mrs. Barbara Smith's class at Richards School. We were probably 5 years old. One day he came to a birthday party at my house. Within a few minutes he had to go home because his stomach hurt so badly. This is a memory that has stayed with me for all these years, and underscores the length of time he had to deal with Crohn's. We drifted apart after kindergarten (I went to St. Monica's - he stayed at Richards), and were not as close friends in hgh school, although we did occasionally talk about our early-life memories. As I read the other comments on this page, I realize that he carried himself with courage and grace in his determination to not show the effects of this disease. We should all be like him.
Laurie, Betsy Blaney described what she calls, "your verve," in dealing with Gary's condition, in addition to what all spouses and parents have to do. Please accept my condolenses to you and your family.
Janice Colman (Oliver)
Laurie... Belated condolences to you and your family for the loss of wonderful man. I don't believe I have seen you since we were oh so youngbut Gary was always such a happy and gentle person and have fond memories of both of you. Sad to,hear of our loss.:( love to you , janice
Thomas (Scott) Pakenham
Gary Schmidt was our neighbor & friend on Berkley Blvd and we walked to Richards School as kids.
I spent time with Gary's family who were always very nice including me in their activities.and enjoyed a like sense of humor.
It is sad when we lose a friend, family member at any age but having family experience with Crohn's & Colitis we know this is a debilitating disease with different outcomes for each person.
In Gary's passing we become congizant of this disease and know that many others are dealing with something that is so important to our general health.
I will keep Gary and his family in my thoughts as well as Debbie and Mother Lois.
God bless Gary Schmidt!
Susan Olenick (Ehrlich)
I remember Gary from Richard's school and recall that he was struggling with illness even back then. We were very young kids, but I was even then struck by his kindness and maturity. He was a gentle, sweet boy who always smiled and was happy to talk to me. Maybe it was dealing with being sick and the accomodations he had to make at such a young age that gave him a perspective on life that I could tell was far beyond mine or anyone else's on the playground.
I lost touch with Gary in high school; our lives didn't converge. But I always thought of him through the years. Recalling his quiet and understanding countenance, seeing his face in my mind and remembering our conversations and my amazement at his grace and postive attitude, has had an enduring effect on me.
I am deeply saddened to hear of Gary's passing, but happy to hear that he had a beautiful family and a good life, though much too short. I will always remember Gary Schmidt as a person of grace, strength and a deep understanding of the human condition. My belated condolences to your family.
~Susan Ehrlich (Olenick)