Gerhard H. Schmidt

Gerhard H. Schmidt, age 79, of Dover, died peacefully Wednesday, July 29, 2009, in Park Village Health Care Center, surrounded by his loving wife and family. Gerhard had battled courageously against health complications brought on by a series of strokes.

He was born on March 3, 1930 in Cleveland, the only child of Walter and Lina Hoof Schmidt, who had come to the United States from Germany in 1928. Gerhard attended West Technical High School and Fenn College in Cleveland, completing a tool and die apprenticeship in 1950. While working at the Modern Tool and Die Company, he met Ruth Geiser of Dover, who was a nursing student in Cleveland. They were married on August 23, 1952. Gerhard served honorably in the U.S. Army, and following his discharge, worked as a draftsman at the Warner & Swasey Company in New Philadelphia. In September 1976, when the Buckeye Joint Vocational School opened, he began to teach drafting at the school until his retirement in 1992.

Gerhard had many interests and hobbies, especially many happy hours spent restoring a 1931 Model A Ford, and participating in the Tri-County Model A Club. Gerhard's eyes lit up when talking about the Duesenberg automobile, his favorite! Love of steam engines and trains was evidenced by his collection of models and books. He also loved ocean liners, which he read countless books about, especially the Titanic. All forms of transportation were of interest, even dirigibles. Additionally, Gerhard worked for several years reassembling a church pipe organ in the basement of the family home.

Gerhard and Ruth both enjoyed traveling and after the children were grown, took many trips. They especially enjoyed the Alaskan and Caribbean cruises with the Gaither Christian singing groups.

Through their fifty-six years of marriage, they reared four children with Biblical principles and Christian values. Central in their family life was their faithful membership at First Christian Church in New Philadelphia. Gerhard will be sadly missed by his wife, Ruth; his children, Dan (wife Kristie) Schmidt, and Bob Schmidt, both of Dover, Sally Cassidy of Sunbury, and John (wife Holly) Schmidt of New Philadelphia; as well as his seven grandchildren, Adam Schmidt, Karen (husband Michael) Mastroine, Jennifer Schmidt, Angela (husband Dan) Curran, Michael Cassidy, Leslie Schmidt, and Logan Schmidt. Two great-grandchildren, Grant Schmidt and Kylee Curran complete Gerhard�(TM)s family.

A service celebrating Gerhard�(TM)s life will be held Monday, August 3, at 11 a.m., in First Christian Church at New Philadelphia with Rev. Jim Borton officiating. Burial will be in Dover Burial Park. Following the committal, there will be a luncheon in the church. Visitation will be Sunday, August 2, 4 �" 7 p.m., in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover, and on Monday, August 3, 10 �" 11 a.m., in the church. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Gerhard, please visit the funeral home's Web site and click on Obituaries.

The family suggests that contributions in Gerhard's memory be made to First Christian Church, 104 Third St., N.W., New Philadelphia, OH 44663.

Toland-Herzig, Dover
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com