Robert Lee Schmitz

Robert (Bob) L. Schmitz was born June 27th, 1936. He passed away with his wife by his side on October 8th, 2024.

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 schoolhouse, 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 Mekong river and then in Vietnam. He was also stationed in Japan and eventually Australia. In Japan, he studied Kenpo 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 two 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 enjoying their ponds, wildlife, Bob’s art studio and Jody’s greenhouse. They loved being in nature surrounded by all God’s creatures.

Throughout his life, he was a talented artist using multiple artistic forms. He was a prolific painter beginning at a young age and perfecting his skills until the time of his death. He painted everything from abstract to animals and landscapes and was a very accomplished sculptor. Bob’s love of nature became his inspiration revealed in his seascapes, rugged mountains and wildlife scenes. His art won numerous prestigious and international awards. His paintings, sculptures and art pieces adorn the walls of homes around the world. He was beloved teacher to other painters.

Bob was a great storyteller with a story for every occasion. He could mingle with anyone, read the room well and never met a stranger making the people around him feel special by knowing their names and listening well. In the words of his wife Jody, “he was such a gentleman.”

Bob is survived by the love of his life wife Jody, son’s Bob (wife Julie) of Littleton, CO and Mike (wife Treva) of Lakewood, CO. Bob also dearly loved and adored his grandchildren; Logan (wife Lorene), Brandi (partner Daniel), Lucas (partner Corrine), Meg (husband Cade) and Dani. He is also survived by four great grandchildren, his brother-in-law John (wife Pat) in Australia and many amazing nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors and everyone he ever met! 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 a.m. A short reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, a gift can be made in Bob’s name to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. www.cmzoo.org/support/#waystodonate