Thomas George Schmidt

Tom Schmidt passed away peacefully at his home at the Washington Veteran’s Home in Retsil, WA, with his two daughters by his side. Tom was born in Marshalltown, IA, the first of six children of Henry George Schmidt and Margaret Hazel (Benbow) Schmidt. He graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1959.

Tom was a proud Navy Vietnam veteran and lived a life marked by service to his country. Tom enlisted in the Navy while still in high school, in March 1958. He finished his electronics training in 1960. Tom served as a captain of a PBR boat in the Delta River Patrol Group in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. He received a Presidential Citation for “exceptionally meritorious and heroic service from 9 May 1966 to 30 June 1967”. 

He saw much of the world while in the Navy, including Pearl Harbor, Italy, Japan, much of the Western Pacific and the Mediterranean, which, he always said, was “pretty cool for a kid from Iowa”. Tom reached the rank of Chief Electronics Technician in October 1967 and retired from the Navy in 1980. While in the Navy, Tom received the Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Battle Efficiency “E” award while onboard the USS Towers. 

Tom was also very proud to be a certified motorcycle instructor for the Navy, earning certificates of appreciation for reducing motorcycle accidents in the Eleventh Naval District. Tom had a lifelong love for motorcycles, especially his Harley Davidsons.

After his retirement, Tom relocated to Bremerton, WA to be close to his daughters and to work the remainder of his career in Keyport, WA as an electronics technician onboard the submarines. Tom retired in February 2006 with 44 years of service to our country.

Tom loved camping, riding motorcycles, dogs, gardening, his family cabin in Leavenworth, WA, Mariners baseball, pistachios (iykyk), Pepsi, and split pea soup. Tom loved to watch his grandson Spencer play baseball and his granddaughter Sarah play soccer. Above all, he loved being a grandpa. Those who knew Tom will remember his patriotism, his deep loyalty to his country and his family, and the staff at the veteran’s home will remember him for his mischievous crankiness and his love for “Coffee! With Sugar!” His greatest pride and joy were his two daughters whom he loved deeply and talked about constantly to anyone who would listen. He remained in a close relationship with his stepson Jesse Lewin and often expressed how proud of Jesse he was.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Henry, his mother, Margaret, his brother, Richard, his sister Georgia, and his wife of many years, Patti. Tom is survived by his daughters Kelley (Martin) Eltzroth, Keri (Wayne) Sieckowski, stepson Jesse Lewin, brother Harry (Donna) Schmidt, sister Lucy Mahoney, and brother Steven (Laura) Schmidt, grandchildren Spencer (Erin) Sieckowski, Sarah Sieckowski, Jessica Eltzroth, Carl Nash, Andy Nash, Levi Nash, and great-grandson James. He is also survived by a vast network of nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Patti McIntosh, who stepped in and helped Tom and his daughters following his diagnosis with dementia. We don’t know where we would be today without her help during those early days. We also want to thank the compassionate caregivers of Visiting Angels and the dedicated staff at the Washington Veteran’s Home for the kindness, care, and dignity that they provided to Tom. There are angels who walk amongst us, and a lot of them work there.

In lieu of flowers, and to honor Tom’s life of service, please consider donating your gifts or your time to the Washington Veteran’s Home programs (such as the homeless vets program or donations of supplies to the activities programs) – there are many ways to serve those who served and we encourage you to seek out opportunities to do so. Donations can also be made through dva.wa.gov and direct the gift the Washington Veteran’s Home. You may also donate to Kitsap Humane Society in honor of Tom’s love for dogs (especially poodles). A memorial for Tom will be held at a later date.

Go forth, Oh Sailor, upon your final voyage, guided by the light of heaven.

May the seas be calm, the winds be fair, and the journey swift.

Rest in Peace, Chief Schmidt.