Quentin Robert Schmitt

Quentin Robert Schmitt, 92, of Beaumont, went to see his Lord and Savior on May 9, 2017. Quent was born June 26, 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri. He is predeceased by his parents Willis and Bertha Schmitt of St. Louis, Missouri and a brother, Gerald Schmitt of Columbia, Missouri. He is survived by his wife Barbara, son Kent Schmitt (Elena), of Beaumont, daughter Mary Lou Burges (Bill), of Castroville, Texas, two grandchildren, Rebecca Anne Weikel (John) of Beaumont, Texas and Matthew Aaron Chestnut (Ruth) of Chandler, Arizona, three step-grandchildren, Captain Jeff Burges (Emily) of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, Christina Burges of Castroville, Texas, Joanna Linton (Ryan) of Arvada, Colorado, three great-grandchildren, Caleb Matthew Weikel and Lydia Grace Weikel of Beaumont, Texas and Jesse Michael Chestnut of Chandler, Arizona, four step great-grandchildren, Katy, David and Cara Burges of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and Samantha Linton of Arvada, Colorado, one brother Donald Schmitt of Jerseyville, Illinois and one sister Doris Shockley of Centennial, Colorado, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Quent was the third of four children and the third boy. As he was growing up during the depression, there were numerous family members who lived in the house at one time or another. Despite the hard times, there was a lot of laughter, fun and love in the household. Quent and his brothers all loved to play various sports. In high school Quent played football as the Quarterback and participated in track. He was also a member of the American Legion baseball even making the All City team. The team he played on had some great players, including Bobby Hoffman, Jack McGuire and Larry Berra. One day Bobby Hoffman said Larry looked like a Swami with the way he was sitting and Quent said No, he looks like a Yogi. Jack started calling him that and soon Larry Berra became Yogi Berra. During WWII Quent followed in the family tradition and served in the military along with his brothers. His father had served in WWI and other ancestors had served in the Civil War and Revolutionary War. Quent served in Communications with the Army Air Corps which later became the Army Air Force and then the United States Air Force. He served in the Pacific Theater, serving in New Guinea, the Philippines, and was among the first of the occupying forces in Japan. He was fortunate to be able to see his two brothers some during the war. Later on, he served stateside during the Korean conflict. When he returned home from WWII he returned to his studies at the University of Missouri in Columbia, earning a degree in Chemical Engineering. It was while he was at U of M that he met his wife Bobbye, who attended Stephens College in Columbia. They married on 9/11/1948. Quent's entire career was spent working with DuPont. This took him to various locations around the country including Delaware, Tennessee, South Carolina, California, Kentucky and finally, Texas. The DuPont plant in South Carolina was a nuclear plant. Working there earned Quent a job offer from the group at Los Alamos, but he chose to stay with DuPont. He retired
from DuPont after 33.5 years. During this time Quent also remained active with the Air Force Reserves, retiring in 1984 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Quent attended the Episcopal church and was always active in some capacity in the church. He was also active in the community, working with the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering for several years as well as working on the board at the DuPont Federal Credit Union. He and Barbara (Bobbye) were happily married 68 years. He set a fine example for his children and all those around him of a man of faith, integrity, honesty, patriotism, and a believer in education and hard work. He will be greatly missed by all who know him. Services will be held at Christian Fellowship Church in Beaumont at 10am, on Monday, May 15. In lieu of flowers you can make a donation to the Disabled American Veterans or a charity of your choice.