Obituary of Adam C. Schmidt

Adam C. Schmidt (Schmidty) shed his earthly burdens and entered into eternal rest the evening of September 17th, 2023, at his home, surrounded by family at the age of 91.

Adam was born, along with his twin Eva “Evie” Schmidt, to Thomas & Marianna Schmidt (née Leingang) in St. Anthony, North Dakota on May 30th, 1932. He was one of 14 siblings.

The family moved to Renton, Washington, where Adam was proud to attend and graduate from O’Dea High School (Go Irish!) in 1950.

He enlisted in the Air Force in April of 1952, where he served honorably as a radio operator for four years, and then cross trained as an air to air radar technician, until his retirement in 1974, with the rank of Master Sergeant.

He met Elva Pfeiffer in South Dakota, where he was instantly smitten with her spirit, big brown eyes and tiny waist & she with the dashing young Air Force enlisted gentleman. They were married in 1954, and welcomed five children over the next 8 years.

His military service took him, his wife and their children to Spain & Iceland, stateside duty assignments included South Dakota, Colorado, Oregon, South Carolina & North Dakota. The family has fond memories of piling into the family station wagon for camping trips, fishing, and road trips.

Following retirement, he joined the United State Postal Service as their best electrician until he fully retired in 1994.

He was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Mariana, son in law, Brian, siblings Philip, Tony, Ida, Juliana, Agnes, Bertha, Theodore, Ralph, Eva, Arnold, Robert, Kenneth, and his pet parakeet Mortimer (Mort).

He leaves behind his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Elva Schmidt (née Pfeiffer), his brother Thomas Schmidt (Patricia), his devoted children & their spouses Alan (Judy), Karla, Karen (Max) Mark (Cristy) & Kristie (Dan).

Also mourning his passing are his Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren & their spouses/partners who adored him. Grandchildren: Kara (Phil), Aaron, Kelsey (Kyle), Ryan (Jessica), Kasey, Josh (Adi), Lauren (Zac), Sean, Carson, Jacob, Cora and Great-Grandchildren: Laura, Oliver, Lilyana, Adelaide & Damian.

He loved the music of Hank Williams Sr., flying remote control airplanes, his garden, a good seafood boil, the Seahawks, the Mariners, telling stories and spending time with his large, noisy family.

Most of all, he loved his wife, Elva, his true North, who steadfastly and bravely loved, served and stayed by his side until and after his last breath. His last words were his love for her.

His love language was acts of service. If you needed something fixed, sharpened, shored up, or just someone by your side, he was there before you could think to ask. He cooked amazing waffles and knew his way around a grill.

He was proud of his military service, mechanical knowledge, progressive values, Catholic Faith, and his family that gathers, fights and celebrates like none other.

His only wish was for more time.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated October 18th, 11:00 am at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Sumner Washington, with prayer of the Rosary immediately preceding at 10:30. Military honors and interment will follow at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent Washington at 1:00 pm, followed by a reception hosted by St. Andrew Catholic Church at 2:30.

We miss him terribly and take comfort that he is free of a body that aged far faster than his incredible, heart, spirit, and mind. Rest easy & well done, good and faithful servant of God, Country & Family.