Richard Schmit, age 85 of Bismarck, died August 7, 2008 in a Bismarck hospital following a heart attack.

Funeral Services: 10:30 AM Tuesday, August 12 at the Washburn United Methodist Church;
Pastor Keith Ritchie, Officiating;

Interment: 2:00 PM Tuesday at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery - Mandan, ND;
Military Rites provided by the V.F.W. Post 1326 Honor Guard of Bismarck

Visitation: 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM Monday at Goetz Funeral Home – Washburn, and Tuesday, one hour prior to time of service at the church.

Clarence Richard Schmit was born on March 13, 1923 in Lisbon, ND, to parents Matthias and Veronica (Wiederholt) Schmit. He grew up in Lisbon, working for his dad who was a carpenter by trade. From a young age, Richard was taught the fine art of building homes. At the age of 14, he finished a home that his father was building, after his dad fell and broke his back.

Richard served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific during WWII as a Technician-4th grade, Bridge Carpenter with Company A 233rd Engineering Combat Battalion. He enlisted on Feb 25, 1943 and was honorably discharged on December 22, 1945. Richard was one of six Schmit children serving during World War II. His service included being on the first wave to liberate the Philippines, plus service in Guam, Okinawa, Leyte, and Japan. He was decorated with a Victory medal, a Good Conduct medal, the Bronze Arrowhead, the American Theater Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Medal with one bronze service star.

He was also an excellent marksman, and after the war participated in the first deer season in the state of ND. He enjoyed hunting with all his friends, and often included his children in the hunt. Fishing was also a pastime for the family, where they spent many hours on the old Missouri.

Richard met Maxine Olson in Lisbon, ND where she was working as a waitress. It was his great pleasure to give every waitress a bad time, asking for peanut butter pie, when he knew they didn't have such a thing! They wed in Bismarck on March 28, 1952, first living in a small trailer home at Riverdale where Richard worked on the Garrison Dam project. He often said that was the best paying job he ever had. They also lived in Bismarck, Mandan, thiry-five years in Washburn, and a short time in Wilton & Hebron, ND.

Richard's occupation as a carpenter and general contractor kept him busy building homes in Washburn, Turtle Lake, Underwood, Wilton and Center. His business slogan: Builder of Better Homes. These homes stand today as a testament to his skill and building integrity. His career as a builder was abruptly ended with a fall from a roof in December of 1986. He and Maxine also owned and operated a junior department store in Washburn called "Maxines" for 10 ½ years.

He also spent many years scouting and refinishing furniture and antiques for re-sale. It was a mission of his to bring home parts and pieces and make something beautiful. It was truly a gift. He was an avid Twins fan, spending many hours listening to the games and cheering them on, no matter what. Richard was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge of Bismarck/Mandan.

The past several years as his health declined, his motto has been "Tomorrow will be better". That was the last thing his wife heard him say before his heart attack. He never regained consciousness.

Richard is survived by his wife, Maxine of Bismarck; four children: Lucinda (Clark) Renfrow of Mercer, ND; Richard (Norma) of Delta, Utah; Todd (partner Rich) of San Diego, CA; and Laura Schmit of Dickinson, ND. Three foster children: Nancy (William)Powell of Youngstown, Ohio; Ronald Schaefer of Mandan, ND; and Bernell Reiser of Florida. His sisters, Delores (Larry) Timmer of Arizona; Margaret (Bud) Hitchcock of Arizona; Bernadette Kryer of Arizona; Mary Lemna of Enderlin, ND; one brother, Louis (Phyllis) Schmit of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; & sister-in-law, Jean Schmit; He was so proud of his eleven grandchildren, and one great grandson, and had their photos where he could enjoy them every day.

He was preceded in death by one granddaughter (Sarah), and four brothers (Ray, Joseph, Frances and Maurice).

The family prefers memorials to the Washburn Veterans Memorial, c/o Gerald Nordquist, 218 5th Ave., Washburn, ND 58577.