Paul W. Schmidt

paul schmidt

Paul William Schmidt, 68, of Greenville, Illinois passed away unexpectedly but peacefully, surrounded by his family, on November 22, 2017 at St. Luke's Hospital.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 25 at the Greenville First Presbyterian Church. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. and a cake reception will follow immediately. At his request, Paul's body was cremated: a private family interment will take place at a later date.
Paul was born on December 9, 1948 in St. Louis, MO, to Paul and Rosemary (née Suliburk) Schmidt. He was joined by sisters Anne and Amy before his father's untimely death in a 1954 worksite accident. The loss of his father remained a defining feature of his life, instilled in him an intense love of family, and drove him to extraordinary lengths to make everyone around him feel special and welcomed. He never met a stranger and was particularly known for his enthusiastic greetings, usually followed with a giant hug, big kiss, or hearty handshake.
After attending Our Lady of Providence Elementary/Middle School and St. John Vianney High School in St. Louis, Paul went on to earn a Bachelors of Engineering degree at the University of Missouri-Rolla and a Masters of Civil Engineering at Purdue University. From his graduation to the end of his career, Paul worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, managing locks and dams along the Mississippi River. He was proudest of overseeing the building of the new Lock & Dam #26 at Alton, IL.
Although he loved his work, Paul's real passion was his family. He spent as much time as possible with them, and was an amazing husband, Dad, and Grandad. He married Beverly Wise on August 12, 1972 and they enjoyed 45 happy and adventure-filled years together. He is also survived by his daughter Stephanie Schmidt, husband Bob Baker and their children Ben and Libby of Kirkwood, MO; daughter Valerie Toothman, husband Josh and their unborn twin boys of New York City, NY; daughter Julie Oestreich, husband Andrew and their sons Matthew and Calin of St. Charles, MO; parents-in-law Don and Ginny Wise of Greenville; sister Anne Schmidt and husband Robin Lightfoot of Cedaredge, CO; sister Amy Schmidt Stowe and husband Ned of Silver Spring, MD; sister-in-law Nancy Brown of Newark, Delaware; and brother-in-law Tom Wise and wife Janet of Rochester, IL. He leaves behind countless beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who will miss him dearly.
In addition to spending time with people he loved, Paul's many passions included playing ice hockey, running trains of all sizes, traveling extensively with Bev and friends, researching genealogy, watching Blues hockey and Cardinals baseball, cheering for Vianney and the Greenville Comets, drinking great wine and cold Budweiser, cooking with bacon fat and real butter, dressing up as Mr. Wizard for Mardi Gras celebrations, making and appreciating music, volunteering at the American Farm Heritage Museum, and supporting the Simple Room. A true man of causes, he served as a Deacon, Elder, and Clerk of Session at the First Presbyterian Church, as a BCCU#2 School Board Member and Board President, and as a volunteer Engineer and Safety Officer at the American Farm Heritage Museum. He also served on the Greenville Zoning Board and spent years of his life coaching and supporting his daughters and grandkids in their many activities.
Paul was an incandescent, inimitable man who lived by his own advice to make your own roads in life, and he lived and loved big and bold to the end. His exuberance, thoughtfulness, determination, leadership, work ethic and unmitigated joy for living and giving drew people to him. His life was truly a celebration every day, and he will be sorely missed. For those who desire to memorialize Paul, gifts may be made to the American Farm Heritage Museum, Railroad Division at the service or via www.PayPal.me/PSchmidtRRMemorial.

Visitation
Saturday, November 25, 2017
11:00 AM 11/25/2017 11:00:00 AM - 2:00 PM 11/25/2017 2:00:00 PM
Greenville First Presbyterian Church

501 North Idler Lane
Greenville, IL 62246

Greenville First Presbyterian Church
501 North Idler Lane Greenville 62246 IL
United States
Memorial Service
Saturday, November 25, 2017
2:00 PM 11/25/2017 2:00:00 PM
Greenville First Presbyterian Church

501 North Idler Lane
Greenville, IL 62246

Greenville First Presbyterian Church
501 North Idler Lane Greenville 62246 IL
United States

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Paul… From the first time we met you which was about 8 years ago if not more on the beaches of Destin Florida we loved you. You're always jovial personality was always uplifting to say the least. We will miss you my dear friend, but it has been an extreme Delight to have met you. We will always think of you. Jenny and Curt

  2. My deepest sympathy in the loss of your love one. Phil 4:6, 7 will help you receive the peace of God. John 5:28, 29 gives further assurance Jesus will restore life to those who has died. These are comforting thoughts to look forward to knowing your loved one is in God's memory. Hope this brings comfort.

  3. Sympathy to the Family. I read with interest the entire obituary and noted Lock and Dam 26, Alton, Illinois. As an auditor for the Department of Justice in 1990, I was assigned to the “largest audit” at that time in the Corps of Engineers history on that project. I am sure Paul was cognizant of the “over-runs” (fraud, waste, and abuse) by the Prime Contractor, S. J. Groves and Company of Minneapolis. That is why the Department of Justice was administrating that 2 year Audit. On my Facebook page, I have documents pertaining to that audit and litigation. Again my sympathy to the Family. I know the Corps of Engineers lost a good employee in Paul.

  4. Bev, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I pray God will give you the strength to get through this difficult time and the understanding He has a plan for us. I will pray for comfort for you and your Family during this time. Lanny Jenkins

  5. To Paul's Family: We are so sorry for your loss. Paul had such a warm personality and always greeted you with a smile on his face. I know his family, friends, and community will miss him greatly. He has left a lasting memory and positive mark on those he has encountered. Our prayers are with you. Deepest sympathy, Tom & Phyllis Tischhauser

  6. Paul was a very gifted engineer. I had the honor of working with him at the St. Louis District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. When he retired they called him back to head up the repairs of the Melvin Price Lock and Dam. When he finished that Paul joined my consulting firm and we worked as consultants on many interesting projects. One project took us to the HoChunk Indian Reservation in Nebraska working on portable shelters. Paul was always quick to think up a solution to seemingly insolvable problems. He was knowledgeable and fun be be around and always treated everyone with dignity and respect. He was a good man, we will miss him, but we know we are all a little better off for having known him. Col Michael R. Morrow (Ret) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

  7. Bev and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Thankful Mom and Dad were able to know Paul and have you both in their lives…as well as all of us. Tight hugs! Love, Cari (Chappel) Outman and family


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