More detail on this person: LTC Erwin Augustus
"Dutch" Schmidt II completed his tour of duty here
on Earth on September 11, 2013. Dutch was born
on March 1, 1934, to Erwin and Lila Schmidt in San
Antonio, Texas. He was raised primarily in San
Angelo. His love of science led him to study
zoology at the University of Texas at Austin. As a
graduate student, he worked in groundbreaking
research studying the DNA of the fruit fly. He
began a distinguished military career in 1959. He
was the commander of the 191st Assault Helicopter
Company in Dong Tam, Vietnam. Included among
his many awards were the Purple Heart, the Bronze
Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the
Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster.
He was once featured in Stars and Stripes for an
innovative act of bravery that resulted in the
rescue of fellow soldiers. After the military,
Dutch started a repair business for exotic cars
where he was happiest breathing life into a Jaguar
or an Alpha Romeo. Dutch loved well engineered
cars, happy tail-wagging dogs, his country, his
Church, and most of all, his loving wife, Barbara.
Dutch also loved astronomy and built many
sophisticated telescopes and even had an
observatory constructed in his back yard. In
addition to Barbara, he leaves behind his brother
Jack Schmidt, sister-in-law Rose; sister Gayle
Butler and brother-in-law Henry. His children are
Lynda Gayle; Gus and Carrie Schmidt; Bob and
Darci Schmidt; Steven and Debbie Schmidt; and
sweet Mickey, his youngest son. In addition he
leaves behind grandchildren Brian, Zachary, Haley,
Taylor, Susan and Helen, and two great
grandchildren Mia and Hans. Services will be held
on Friday, September 27, 2013 at 10:00 AM with a
reception to follow at 11:00 AM at St. Marks
United Methodist Church, 5555 Love Road.
Inurnment will follow after reception at Ft. Bliss
National Cemetery at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers,
memorials may be made to the SPCA. Services
entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N.
Resler Dr., El Paso, Texas 79912.
www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com Next time you
are star gazing, look to the western sky and if
you squint just right, you should be able to see a
star formation that resembles a tough-as-nails
soldier sneaking treats to his dog? and just know
that Dutch is patrolling the skies once again.
Published in El Paso Times from September 23 to
September 30, 2013
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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