Age 95, resident of Banning, CA. formerly of Calimesa, CA, Grand Terrace, CA, and Faulkton, SD. passed away on February 14, 2020 at The Lakes Memory Care in Banning.
August E. Schmidt (“Gus”) was born on January 30, 1925 in Lahaska, Pennsylvania to August E. Schmidt, Sr. and Edith Helen Meyers. In World War II, he served during the Ardennes Campaign (“Battle of the Bulge”) with the U.S. Army’s 84th Infantry Division (the “Railsplitters”). He received the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, and three battle stars (Rhine, Ardennes, and Central Europe).
After the war, Gus went to Drexel University and worked in aerospace as a mechanical engineer. He later had his own photography business. He enjoyed all manner of model airplanes and trains, taking photographs of petroglyphs, and listening to shortwave radio.
Gus was preceded in death by his wife, Marie R Schmidt, in January 2010. He is survived by step-children Jerry Peasnall and Marcia Skeeters, step-grandchildren Brian Auten, Gabrielle Gotham (Auten), Brandon Auten, Jennifer Carrari (Peasnall) and Angie Baum (White). He is also survived by nine great step-grandchildren: Maya Gotham, Jack Gotham, Anika Auten, Tristan Auten, Mitchell Carrari, Dalton Carrari, David Baum Jr., Katie Baum, Lexi Baum.
Funeral Services Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 11:00am, Wiefels & Son Mortuary, Banning, CA. Graveside Services to follow at 1:00pm at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA.
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