David A. Schmidt

David A. Schmidt, fifth of nine children born to Arthur and Armella Schmidt, died in Green Bay, Wisconsin from a number of ongoing medical difficulties. He was 75 years old.

Dave, a 1968 graduate of Preble High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin, enlisted in the US Coast Guard that year. He served as a member of the elite National Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington D.C., and for other special events. This was a post he was extremely proud of, and one that suited his personality.

He had a unique sense of humor and was fiercely private and independent. His work life had been serious, competent, and fruitful. While in the employ of Straubel Paper, he was Plant Manager for many years, and even holds at least one US Patent.

His mechanical prowess surfaced early at Bay Shipbuilding Corp in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where he attained the position of journeyman welder within a year. This talent continued for him with his expertise demonstrated in machine building, and even inventing, then later into management.

Yet those attributes are dwarfed by his two greatest loves, that of music and his family. When asked what his happiest memory was, he immediately stated “when my babies were born”. That love exudes with his grandchildren. Over more recent years his greatest joy came from spending time with his grandchildren. Beyond just holding those babies, the greatest treat for him is to pass on some of his musical talent to the kids.

David’s musical sense came early. His mother dabbled with the guitar, and his dad enjoyed playing the organ. David first picked up a guitar in grade school. He never was able to take any musical lessons, but that ear for music and his fingers came to be one with the musical instruments. In this writer’s opinion, the greatest musicians are those who can hear the notes, and then let their fingers dance on the frets and pluck the strings. His intense, meticulous and determined personality became a perfect match. He participated in various bands throughout high school and beyond.

His closest to professional notoriety came as a founding member and participant in the Brown County Bluegrass Boys. At the height of his musical life, when he could make Goldie sing with the best of them (Goldie was his special banjo, his pride and joy), he once told me he would practice 8 hours/day to be able to play like that. I was truly mesmerized!

As this was one of his greatest loves, his arthritic fingers have recently tested this resolve. With his humor intact and his memory keen, the music in his heart and his fingers was ever present, right to his last days, and his company was forever a joy to be around.

David is survived by his beloved grandchildren, Austin Stencil, Armella and Ivan Hatleli; their parents and David’s daughters, Sara (Dan) Hatleli of Taylor, Wisconsin and Becky Schmidt of Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is further survived by brother-in-law Tom Kunesh (sister Judy- deceased), siblings Dee Krouth, Illomay (Dennis) Laack, Wendy Schmidt-Janosik, Patty (Ed) Delwiche, Stuart (Cathy) Schmidt, and sister-in-law Patti (Steve – deceased) Schmidt, as well as many nieces and nephews.

David’s parents, and the following siblings have pre-deceased him. His oldest brother Dennis (1944) and his wife Rosie (1944) died in 2015 and 2021 respectively. Sister Judy (1945) died in 2019. His youngest brother Steve (1959) died in 2013.

A celebration of life will take place Sunday, August 17th, from 12:00-3:00 at A Gathering For You, 822 Cormier Road, Green Bay, Wisconsin.