Arnold (A.C.) Schmidt AVA MARIA, Florida – Arnold (A.C.) Schmidt, 87, of Ave Maria, FL passed away peacefully on December 26, 2022.
The sixth of seven children of Valentine Raymond and Katherine Marie Walsh Schmidt, A.C. was born on October 14, 1935 and raised on the family farm in Beloit, KS. He graduated from St. John’ s Grade School and High School in Beloit, and he attended St. Benedict’ s College in Atchison, KS before entering the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in October 1955.
A.C. served in the US Navy for 28 years as a naval aviator and retired with the rank of captain in 1983. He flew from nine different aircraft carriers, most notably the USS Ticonderoga, USS Independence, USS Enterprise and USS Coral Sea, accumulating more than 500 day and night carrier landings and 4,300 flight hours. His warfare specialty was that of attack pilot in A-4 and A-7 aircraft. Naval career highlights included serving in combat in Vietnam, on the staffs of the Naval War College and US Pacific Fleet, as Air Boss on the USS Enterprise, and as commanding officer of Training Squadron 26 and NAS Chase Field in Beeville, TX. After retiring from the Navy, he worked as a real estate agent and manager at McDonnell Douglas/Boeing Aircraft Company before retiring in 1999.
During his second retirement, he volunteered with various Catholic churches, Meals on Wheels, and AARP tax assistance preparation programs. He was also active in Knights of Columbus and his local Veterans organization.
A.C. had a strong reverence for his Catholic faith and frequently attended daily Mass and led the Holy Rosary for the congregation.
A.C is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia Carol Muzio of Fullerton, CA; their daughters Lisa Schmidt, Suzanne (Bill) Skalaban and Terri (Bob) Langbo; eight grandchildren: Will Skalaban, Annie Skalaban, Emily Langbo, Katie Skalaban, Luke Langbo, Elizabeth Langbo, Julia Langbo and Ellie Skalaban; and his youngest brother, Leonard Schmidt. He was preceded in death by his older brothers and sisters: John Schmidt, Raymond Schmidt, Loretta Fisher, Bill Schmidt, and Charlotte Splawn.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations in A.C.’ s memory be made to Ave Maria Catholic Church, Respect Life Committee or Ave Maria University.
Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Friday, January 6th at Ave Maria Catholic Parish, 5088 Annunciation Circle, Ave Maria, FL 34142. There will be a Holy Rosary immediately before the Mass at 9:15 AM. Following the Mass there will be a reception. Details to follow.
Cremains will be interred at a later date at Pensacola National Cemetery.
