Reinhard Otto Schmidt

Reinhard O. Schmidt, age 87, passed away unexpectedly at Aurora Medical Center on December 17, 2018. He was born in Pomerania, Germany to the late Gerhard and Anna (Krause) Schmidt on September 6, 1931. He came to the United States in 1950 after being evicted from his home in Germany as a result of World War II; Reinhard came to the United States to pursue life here. Shortly after arriving in the US, he was drafted into the United States Army and served as an interpreter in Germany during the Korean war era. He was a member of the 101st Airborne Division, and after discharge he served in the 32nd Div National Guard out of Oshkosh.

He married Vera Jesch in 1959 and they were together until her unexpected passing in 1966. He later married Mary Bohm on November 28, 1975 in Tomah, WI. Education was very important to Reinhard, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of WI-Oshkosh, his Master’s Degree from the University of WI-Superior, and his Doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. He taught Psychology at UW Stout for over 30 years, and after moving to Oshkosh he taught Psychology as an adjunct professor at UW Oshkosh. He also conducted Alzheimers research during his career.

He was a brilliant and witty man, always thinking, philosophizing, and pondering. He loved his family and friends and showed it in his love language of gift giving. In his free time, Reinhard loved the outdoors, nature, animals and gardening. He especially loved flowers and plants, knowing the names of many them in two languages as well as their scientific names. He had an annual tradition of helping his daughter plant flowers every spring. He was an incredibly kind person and always made people feel special with his impeccable manners and giving ways. He was a gentle and kind man; his death leaves a big void in our lives and he will be greatly missed. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary, daughters, Anne (Tim) Bang, Susan (Jim) Gullickson, granddaughters, Katie (Daryn) Bang-Strand, Caroline Bang, Catie Gullickson and great-granddaughter Sophie Strand.

A service for Reinhard will be held at 1PM on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Peace Lutheran Church in Oshkosh, Wisconsin (240 W 9th Ave). Rev. Brad Dokken will be officiating. A visitation will be held at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home (100 Lake Point Drive in Oshkosh) on December 21st from 4-7PM and on Saturday at Peace Lutheran from 11:30AM until the time of service. Burial will take place at Lake View Memorial Park in Oshkosh immediately after the service.