Howard L. Schmidt

Howard L. Schmidt, 87, of Rockford, passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022. He was born March 6, 1934, on the family farm in Peterstown, Illinois, and grew up in Mendota, the son of Daniel and Genevieve (Stanard) Schmidt. Howard married Virginia “Ginny” Smith in Mendota, Illinois, on August 27, 1955. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. As a natural-born teacher and strong student, Howard was recruited to teach in the engineering program while still an undergraduate. He continued teaching engineering at University of Illinois until 1968, when he moved to Rockford, Illinois, to help establish the engineering program at Rock Valley College. He retired in 1993, as a full professor in the Department of Engineering and Technology. While in school and as a young family-man, Howard served in the US Army Reserves, ultimately promoted to Captain. Each summer, Ginny and the children accompanied Howard to his summer training commitment, beginning the tradition of family camping trips around the country. At home, he worked on cars and tinkered around the house. It was commonly believed he could fix anything if he brought his screwdriver. Howard was also a man of strong faith and an active member at the Cathedral of St. Peter Catholic Church for over 50 years. He enjoyed supporting his grandchildren by attending their many extracurricular activities, introducing them to family camping, providing daycare when needed, and pulling the occasional loose tooth. He was a kind, gentle, soft-spoken man, always sharing an easy smile and a wink that left you feeling important and genuinely seen. Howard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He died at home surrounded by family.

Howard is survived by his wife of 66 years, Virginia; sister, Barbara (Bill) Timm; daughters, Sharon (Steve) Samuelson, Julia Woodward, Angela (Mike Delany) Schmidt, and Carrie (Mickey Jr.) Badertscher; grandchildren, Katie (Brock) Samuelson Boltz, William Woodward, Annie Woodward, Zach Badertscher, Alli Badertscher, and Emma Badertscher; great grandchildren, Samy, Ike, and Maxine Boltz. He is predeceased by his parents and grandson, Tony Samuelson.

A public visitation will be on Friday, February 18, 2022, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 3910 N Rockton Avenue, Rockford, Illinois 61103. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, February 19, 2022, at 11:00 am, at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N Church Street, Rockford, Illinois 61103. Burial will occur in Mendota, Illinois at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rock Valley College Foundation, Cathedral of St. Peter, or a charity of your choice. Please share memories and condolences online at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.