Found peace on Dec. 19, 2020. Loving husband and best friend of Mari (nee Denzin). Beloved dad of Brian (Christine), David (Andrea), Gena (Paul) Frey, and Robert (Laurie). Proud grandpa of Daron, Brittany, Jacob, Riley, Devin, Callin and great-grandpa of 7. Dear brother of Bonnie (the late Pierre) Noth. Further survived by other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Vilas Schmidt and his brother, Gary (Linda).

Ron was a man of many interests and talents. His varied career history included working at the Menomonee Falls News; being owner and editor of the Germantown Press and late Model Ship Builder magazine; driving school bus for special needs students; and operating a family business offering horse-drawn hayrides and sleigh rides. His favorite job?---operating a traveling petting zoo during the summer for the Milwaukee Public Schools with his kids.

Ron was very well read, and his interests covered a wide variety of subject matter. He prided himself on being an avid book buyer. Through the years he had many hobbies including pursuing family genealogy; trains of all Kinds, model or rail; minor league baseball and all baseball statistics; the circus; stock car racing; raising Jersey dairy cows with his son; horse showing especially in speed events (excelled at flags!); riding and driving horses; fostering collies with his wife for MWCR. He was looking forward to meeting up with his beloved dogs, especially Belle and Oreo, at the Rainbow Bridge. He was much loved and will be sorely missed, though he has left us all with a wealth of great memories. A private memorial gathering will take place in the spring.