With regret, the Washington Fire Chiefs and the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority
wishes to notify the public of the death of Engineer Robert W. “Bob” Schmidt.
Bob passed away last night with family, friends, and fellow firefighters at his side following a 10 month battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife, Kim; and his two sons, Erik and Alex.
Because his cancer was determined to have been caused by his profession as a firefighter, Bob’s death is considered to be a Line of Duty Death. Bob is the first LODD for Washington State in 2013. He will be honored by the state at the 2014 Washington State Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service. The WSFFMS is held annually in Olympia to honor those Washington State firefighters who have given their lives for the communities they served.
A LODD funeral service is currently being planned by the Schmidt family and the Kent Fire Department. More information will be published as it becomes available.
Bob joined the Kent Fire Department in September, 1989. He spent most of his career on C-shift at Fire Station 71. Over the course of his career, Bob responded to thousands of 9-1-1 calls and never hesitated to help, whether it was as a firefighter or a friend.
At Bob’s side when he passed away, Fire Chief Jim Schneider said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Engineer Schmidt’s family. We have lost a great guy who placed his family as his number one priority. He could light up a room with his smile and his enthusiasm for everything and everyone he believed in”.
The Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority is grateful for the service Engineer Bob Schmidt provided to the residents and businesses of our community. He is gone, but will never be forgotten.