Louie J. Schmitt passed away November 2, 2010 after a short battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was 87.
Louie was born in Reed Point, Montana on December 24, 1922 the older of two children born to Louie and Ella M (Cook) Schmitt.
He graduated from Columbus High School in 1941 and went on to the Billings Polytechnic Institute (Rocky Mountain College). Putting his college education on hold when World War II broke out he was called to service in the U S Army. After training in Utah, Texas, Louisiana and New Jersey he was deployed to the European African Theater in France and Belgium. He was transferred to the Asiatic Pacific Theater via the Panama Canal to the Philippines. He was honorably discharged from the Army February 1946 at Camp Beale, California.
Louie resumed his college education at the University of Denver graduating in March 1950 with an Electrical Engineering degree.
After graduation Louie worked for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph in Denver, Colorado and Boise, Idaho in various engineering positions and Personnel assignments. He retired from Mountain Bell’s Corporate Engineering in 1985 with over 33 years of service. In 1992, Louie and his wife Lois relocated from Denver to Helena.
Louie co-authored the following technical papers. “Titan Intersite Communications: presented at the IEEE-Illinois Institute of Technology-Northwestern University –University of Illinois National Electronics Conference, Chicago, Illinois and “Committee Provides Opportunity for coordination of Corrosion Control” presented at the IEEE Petroleum Conference, San Francisco, CA.
Louie was a senior Member of the IEEE and a life member of National Society of Professional Engineers. He was also a licensed professional engineer in Idaho and Colorado as well as past president in the Jefferson Chapter of Colorado and the Southwest Chapter of Idaho Professional Engineers; Colorado Engineering Council (past president). He was a member of the Order of the Engineer; American Institute of Electrical Engineers.
He is a member of the American Legion Post 2; Telecom Pioneers (Qwest Pioneers); Department of Veteran Affairs Voluntary Service Program at the VA Medical Center.
Louie was preceded in death by his daughter Ellen, parents Louie and Ella Schmitt.
He is survived by his wife Lois of Helena, his sister H. Ada Ewan of Anaconda, his son, Robert T. Schmitt, Littleton, Colorado, step-son, Robert R. and Vicki Bailey, Silverdale, Washington, step-daughter, Christine and Doug Bristow of Helena; grandchildren: Kyle (Andy) Bailey, Helena; Riley and Regan Paschal, Silverdale, WA; Joseph Bristow, Helena. Great grandchildren: Kyle William and Linux Bailey, Helena.
He is also survived by brothers-in-law Robert and Boots McMillan, Richard and Vicky McMillan, Joe and Karen McMillan of Helena and Tom and Cleo McMillan of Greeley, Colorado. Sister-in-law, Catherine Gwaltney of Florissant, MO., and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service celebrating Louie’s life will be held Friday, November 5, 2010 at the Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Interment with military honors will follow at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Ft. Harrison. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Louie’s name to the Fort Harrison Voluntary Services, P.O. Box 167, Fort Harrison, MT 59636 or to an organization of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.aswfuneralhome.com.
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Russ and Jan Van Hook says
Lois,
We are so sorry to hear of Louie’s passing. Please know we are close by if you need anything. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Russ and Jan Van Hook
Steve Koester says
I was good to know and work with you. I hope and pray you journey well and I will see you soon, but not to soon,
STEVE