Robert Joseph 'Bob' Schmitt - 73 of Santa Maria, California, died on April 22, 2016 at the Marian Regional Medical Center. Bob is survived by his wife Molly of 49 years; his son Michael (Anne Shafer), daughter Michelle (Tom Darby), his semi-adopted son, David (Ginny) Pierson, III; five granddaughters aged 11-22, Mikaella, Kathryne, Adrianna, Evelyn, and Colleen; and siblings, Clarice Schmitt Knapp (SPHS '63) and Randy Schmitt (SPHS '65). He was predeceased by brother Ted Schmitt (SPHS '57).

Bob was born in Los Angeles on January 21, 1943 to Ralph and Clarice Klingensmith Schmitt and was the second of four children. When he was 12 years old his family moved to South Pasadena where he graduated from high school in 1960. Bob attended CSU LA and USC. He had a life-long passion for learning and continued to take classes at Hancock College in many subjects in which he had an interest.

Bob and Molly moved the family to the Santa Maria Valley in 1973 when Bob began managing the Pacific Beverage Distributorship. Bob managed the Budweiser distributorship for 23 years in the Santa Maria Valley. Bob was a past president of the Rotary Club of Santa Maria, a member of the Santa Maria Elks, and the Santa Barbara Trail Riders Association. Bob loved being active in the community and really cared about those with whom he worked, lived near, and met along the way.

Bob was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He loved fishing on the East Cape of Baja with his very good buddies Arthur Turner and David Copeland (SPHS '60). Bob will be missed by many and the family wants all to know how truly humbled they were for all of the outpouring of support from many friends and family.