Alfred Duane Schmidt

Alfred D. Schmidt, passed peacefully at age 96, following a brief illness in Gainesville, FL. Mr. Schmidt’s family settled in Miami, Florida when he was just a small boy where his father and mother owned and operated a dairy and grocery store. Mr. Schmidt studied mechanical engineering at the University of Florida and served a tour of duty in WWII as a Lieutenant in the US Navy. Mr. Schmidt served a lifelong career with Florida Power and Light Company with beginnings as a CO-OP student in 1937 and retiring as Vice President of Power Resources in 1983. During Mr. Schmidt’s career he participated in industry-wide and national activities which included serving on President Nixons US-USSR Technical Exchange Committee of Electric Power Generation. Mr. Schmidt was a founder of the Westinghouse Steam Generators Users Group, where as Chairman, he formed the Steam Generators Owners Group to fund research on recurring problems with steam generators which grew into an international membership. Following his retirement, Mr. Schmidt participated in a consultant role to the power industry performing audits and developing corporate policy for nuclear power stations. Mr. Schmidt was blessed to have enjoyed 31 years following retirement on the “Oaks Farm” where he farmed, raised cattle, welded and built everything on the place, including some unique feats of engineering, loved his horses, cows and most of all his beloved wife Evelyn of 70 years.

Mr. Schmidt is survived by his wife Evelyn, his two children; Alfred Schmidt, Jr. and Libby Schmidt, 4 grandchildren; Michael Schmidt, Joan Schmidt, Christine Schmidt and Henry Schmidt, and 2 great grandchildren; Evanell and Genevieve. A true gentleman, Mr. Schmidt was a committed and very loving husband, father and provider, a mentor who lived by example, a man of fine intelligence with a charming dry wit, a truly fine and dignified man. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his family and the many whose lives he touched.

Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M., Monday, Nov. 24 in the Guerry Funeral Home Chapel.  The family will receive friends from 9 A.M. prior to the service.  Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Lake City, FL. GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, Lake City, FL. 386-752-2414  www.guerryfuneralhome.net