He was born in Cole County to Herman Bernard Schmidt and Catherine Schaefer Schmidt. Survivors include two brothers, Herbert Schmidt; and Alfred Schmidt both of Taos; three sisters, Junice Sheriff, Affton, Mo; Frances Groves, Jefferson City; and Morina Boehm, Taos. He worked as a carpenter for many years in the Jefferson City area. And later as a security guard for Memorial Hospital until his retirement. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Taos. Memorials are suggested to Masses or St. Francis Xavier School. He attended school at Liberty School, in rural Cole County.