By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Many of the community members attending Wednesday afternoon’s reception at Thomas More Prep-Marian School had a special relationship with Hays residents Bob and Pat Schmidt and their family.
“You more than anyone know the generous spirit of Bob and Pat which drove their philanthropy throughout their lives to which our community owes a debt of gratitude,” said TMP-Marian Advancement Director Troy Ruda.
“Investing at the high school level is an investment in the future, which Bob and Pat believed,” Ruda continued, “and with their strong Catholic faith they knew TMP-Marian was a worthy contribution. We are eternally grateful.”
Ruda welcomed the Schmidt’s son Tony and his wife Loreta of Lawrence.
“They continue the generosity that was so important to Bob and Pat with the investment of $500,000 to the TMP-Marian Endowment Foundation,” Ruda announced.
Tony Schmidt made his way to the podium amid a standing ovation from the audience which also included TMP-Marian Jr. and Sr. High STUCO members, school faculty and staff, representatives of the school’s finance and advisory councils, endowment board and alumni association, and clergy from the Heartland parishes.
“The Catholic faith was a very large part of our family growing up in LaCrosse,” Schmidt said, “and it was also a very large part of our family in Lawrence.” He noted two former priests at TMP-M, Father Mike Scully and Father Charles Polifka, went on to serve at Schmidt’s parish in Lawrence.
According to Volga German genealogy from the TMP Alumni Association, Tony Schmidt is a fifth-generation member of the Schmidt family in Ellis County who emigrated from Russia to the United States.
“It started with Peter Schmidt, who came to Russia from Germany back in the 1700s. Approximately 141 years ago, Jacob Schmidt and his wife traveled from Catherinestadt, Russia with 16 immediate family members. As I understand it, they met a man named Dreiling in Kansas City who then guided them out here…goes way back to 1876.
“I believe Jacob Schmidt helped found Catherine (located in eastern Ellis County). He became known as the school master as he’d been in Russia. There was no Catholic priest available when they arrived so he actually had to lead some of the early Catholic religious services.
“I know Dad was a friend with each of you and I hope you know that we are too. He’d be pleased to know that this gift I’m delivering will help forward the mission here at TMP,” Schmidt said. “Like you, he believed in Catholic education, in faith, in ethical principles, and in leadership. He was proud to support TMP.”
“This gift makes it possible for us to improve our society via the youth who will learn, who will live, who will love, who will serve in our hallways and classrooms, and who ultimately, serve in our community,” said TMP-Marian Principal Chad Meitner as he thanked the Schmidts for their donation and commitment.
Before leading a closing prayer of thanks, Father Earl Befort, president of the TMP Alumni Association, told the Schmidts he “has the honor to serve the Catherine parish for nearly 25 years, which is the home to your ancestors. We thank you for that gift as well, the gift of your family.”
Robert E. “Bob” Schmidt, 90, philanthropist, renowned broadcaster and retired chairman of the board of Eagle Communications passed away Aug. 8 at his home. His wife, Pat, died in August 2015. The city of Hays declared Aug. 12 as ‘Bob Schmidt Day’ to honor his leadership and many contributions in the region.