Fred Schmidtke, Richland, WA – Obituary

Fred Schmidtke passed on to his Heavenly home peacefully with his family by his side in Richland on Sunday, July 9, 2017.  God did some of his best work when he brought this gentle and humble man into the world on May 11, 1923, in the western foothills of Mt. Rainier in Kapowsin, WA.  Fred grew up in the depression on the family farm where he and his 3 sisters and brother milked the cows, fed the chickens and learned the value of hard work, but also how to have a good time.  He loved his first real job at Joe Johnson’s Corner Grocery pumping gas, selling feed, and serving all the customers.  Fred then joined the Army-Air Force and was training to deploy to Japan when the bombs were dropped and WWII ended.  He then served his country with distinction in the Korean War.  After the Service, Fred found out about the good jobs at Hanford, and he settled into Richland for the next 70 years.  He was a telecommunications expert and electrician, who helped convert Hanford into the digital age, also setting up special communication systems for Presidential visits to the site. 

Fred met and married the love of his life, Mildred Johnson in 1951, after Milly had come out from Hibbing, MN, to be an elementary school teacher in Richland.  Milly fell in love with Fred’s magnetic personality, movie star looks, and mostly his 1938 Packard.  They had many wonderful adventures in their 57 years of marriage, and were very proud of their 3 children Susan, Gary, and Don, daughter-in-laws Zoe and Sara, 5 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren.  Dad cherished his family and friends, and was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle, neighbor, and loving pet owner, always helping his family and friends with anything they needed. 

Fred was always packing up the family station wagon to go hiking and camping in the Cascades, exploring the Coast, and spending holidays with family in Portland, Seattle, and Minnesota.  Fred was a ski boat Captain extroidenaire, and there were summers when he and his family and friends water skied nearly every day on the Columbia, often well into October.  The neighbor kids would come for miles Saturday mornings when Fred made his homemade Bread, Cinnamon Rolls, and Blackberry and Apple Cobblers.  Fred enjoyed many simple pleasures as well, such as backyard BBQs, a good Peanut Buster Parfait, a relaxing round of golf, or a nice walk with the pups out along the Columbia River. 

Fred lived a long and happy life, and he lived it to the fullest.  Rest in peace Fred and thanks for all the great times and memories.  We love you and miss you very much.