September 2, 1927 – November 7, 2024

Robert (“Bob”) Schmitt, 97, a resident of Summit County, Colorado for over 55 years, passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Bob was one of the last of the 1960’s-era ski pioneers who helped to shape and settle what are now Summit and Eagle Counties. Among other things, Bob witnessed the opening of Vail Mountain in 1962, the conversion of the Snake River Black Ranch to Keystone Resort in 1970, and the opening of the Johnson/Eisenhower Tunnels in 1973.

Bob grew up in Middletown, New York, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Columbia College and a second BA degree in Architecture from Columbia University. He moved to Colorado in 1955 with an express intent to become “a full-time ski bum.” He ran out of money in his first season and returned to New York. Undeterred, he packed all his belongings into a 1955 Volkswagen Beetle and returned to the Colorado mountains in 1956. He met his wife, Betty M. (“Jo”) Schmitt in a ski club; they married February 20, 1959. Bob and Jo eventually found their long-term home on Ptarmigan Mountain, enjoying spectacular views of the Ten Mile and Gore Ranges.

For five decades, Bob could be found skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, fishing, bicycling, tinkering around his home, and playing tennis. He grew flowers in his greenhouse, cooked and baked avidly, collected modern art and jazz records, and amassed a massive World War II library. Never losing his “ski bum” demeanor, Bob sold lift tickets at Keystone until his 70s in exchange for his cherished season pass.

Bob helped to build the Summit County Senior/Community Center, serving as lead on the Feasibility Study, Building, Project Team, and Interior Design Committees. In 2002, Summit County honored Bob as Senior of the Year, recognizing his significant roles with the Center and his volunteer work, leading seniors on hikes, cross-country ski trips, and alpine ski outings.

Bob is predeceased by his wife, Betty (“Jo”) Schmitt, his parents, Ruth and Dr. Roswell Schmitt, his brother, Dan Schmitt, and his cousins, Daniel J. Kelly and Raymond Schmitt. He is survived by Peter Schmitt; Robert & Sonya Schmitt; Jon, Jackie & Angie Schmitt; MaryJane Schmitt Liu; Mickael Schmitt; Fredrich G. Schmitt; and his cousins, William Kelly and Maryellen Kelly Cooper. For the past several years, Bob lived with his nephew, Jon Schmitt, Jon’s wife Jackie Schmitt, and their daughter Angie Schmitt. Jackie doted on Bob, fed him well, and assured his comfort late in life.

Bob was a kind man with a gentle disposition, a big sense of humor, and a true zest for nature. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends of all ages.