Richard Schmidt

Dr. Richard E. Schmidt went home to be with his Lord and Savior on February 26, 2025.

He was born on August 24, 1934 in Floyd, Iowa to Conrad (Gene) and Lucy Apel Schmidt. He attended Floyd schools into the seventh grade and then moved with his family to Nora Springs, Iowa, where he graduated from high school in 1952. Following his graduation he farmed with his dad until being drafted into the U.S Army. He served his country for two years, most of that time in southern Germany. Upon his return, Richard married Vonda Lee Ahrens on October 26, 1956. 

A yearning to attend college, and having a G.I. bill, found Richard and Vonda Lee heading to Iowa State University in the fall of 1957. He initially entered the College of Agriculture Education, but after a short time changed his mind and instead, took the required coursework to be accepted into the Veterinary School program. He received his D.V.M. in May of 1964.

Richard practiced veterinary medicine for a year each in Traer, Iowa, and Assumption, Illinois. A phone call in the spring of 1966 from a vet school friend and classmate asking Richard to join him in practice, brought Richard and his family to Lodi, Wisconsin. Richard and his family remained in Lodi, and he retired from veterinary medicine there in 1994. Richard truly loved his job as a veterinarian, and took special interest in the care and treatment of farm animals.

Following his retirement, he and Vonda Lee became frequent travelers. They purchased a 5th-Wheel and did much of their traveling with their home on wheels. A four-month journey in 1999 took them on the road to the state of Alaska. Over the following years, shorter trips were taken to the lower 48 states including many trips to Iowa to visit relatives. Over the years, they visited all 50 states. Five trips were taken to Europe, where they visited the Schmidt-side relatives which Richard had made contact with while in the Army. Memories were also made on a trip to Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. Despite all the great places Richard and Vonda Lee traveled, their favorite place was always home.

 Richard was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Lodi. He served on the session and deacon boards, sang in the choir, mentored confirmands, served on the building and grounds committee, as well as the personnel committee there. He was a charter member of the Lodi Optimist Club and served on various committees in that club, including president. Richard served two terms on the Lodi School Board during the mid-1980’s, once again serving as president of the board. He volunteered his time helping with Habitat for Humanity. He went on several church mission trips. He was a member of the American Veterinary Medicine Association, Wisconsin Veterinary Association, and the Bovine Practitioners Association of America.

He is survived by his three children: Joy Marie (David) Doersch, Jill (Ricky) Roth, and Ted Schmidt; grandchildren Amanda (William) Steinhaus and Isaac Doersch; a very cherished great-granddaughter, Charlotte; sisters Milly Bowers, and Connie Schmidt; brothers-in-law Donell Ahrens and Jim Lesch; sisters-in-law Patricia Ahrens and Wava Ahrens; several nieces and nephews and many friends.

Richard was preceded in death by Vonda Lee, his wife of 67 years, his parents, brothers-in-law Bill Bowers and Berdell Ahrens, sister-in-law Dorothy Lesch, and his in-laws Edward and Lena Ahrens.

A memorial service will be held on March 14, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church of Lodi, at 11:00. Friends and family may gather at the church from 9:00 until the service begins. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Reach Out Lodi.