Robert Schmitt

Robert Daniel "Bob" Schmitt, 79, of Harpers Ferry died of melanoma May 4, 2016. A Celebration of Life will be taking place at the Community Center in Harpers Ferry Friday, June 10 from 2-5 p.m.

Robert was born August 11, 1936 at home in Little Turkey to Joseph and Christina (Kunt) Schmitt, one of 12 children. Bob attended Mount Carmel Catholic School and Lawler High School before moving to Cresco and graduating from Notre Dame Catholic High School in 1954. He served in the Marines from 1955-1959.

January 31, 1959, he married Mildred Zobeck, and they had one son, Gary; they later divorced. September 1, 1989, Bob married Wendy Allen, originally of Norwich, England. He worked at John Deere in Waterloo for 35 years. Shortly after his retirement in 1989, the couple moved to Harpers Ferry.

Bob, an avid fisherman, was considered legendary along the Upper Iowa and Mississippi rivers. He loved teaching his grandchildren and others the finer points on the sport of fishing, but not necessarily his favorite fishing holes. Family and friends will miss the wisdom and many stories he shared, especially on topics related to the natural beauty of northeast Iowa.

He is survived by his wife, Wendy; his son, Gary (Jill) Schmitt of Lee's Summit, MO; five stepdaughters, Jerri (Wade Swindle) Allen of North Liberty, Lauren (Mardy) Holst of Cedar Falls, Bobbi (Rob Bower) Allen of Palo, Katrina (Kelly Brickley) Allen Brickley of Decorah and Jackie (Jon) Wagner of Cedar Falls; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; five brothers, Raymond, Lester, Joseph, George and Arlo Schmitt; and three sisters, Marilyn Trappe, Delores Shileny and Joyce Mrachek.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; and three brothers, Edmund, Walter and Jerry Schmitt.

Memorials may be directed to the following: Crossing Rivers Hospice, 37868 U.S. Highway 18, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821; or Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, 505 Fifth Avenue, Suite 444, Des Moines, IA 50309.