Robert H. Schmitt Service Information

Robert H. Schmitt, of New Britain, PA died on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Doylestown Hospital. He was 77.

He was the beloved husband of 39 years to late Darlene F. Saiber Schmitt.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Henry Schmitt and Martha Wohlers Schmitt.

Bob aka “Schmitty” was a man who felt just as comfortable at a drag car race or rebuilding a high performance engine as he did spending hours in his garden.  He was a dedicated husband, father and Opa and his family never questioned his love for them.  He wore his pride for his family on his sleeve.

Bob attended Spring Garden Technical School after graduating CB West and opened his first speed shop in Maple Glen before finding his permanent location in New Britain.  He was a man of immense skill and integrity so customers came from far and wide for his work.  For as busy as he was, working 6 days a week, he never turned away a local teen who happened to stop by after school to pick his brain on “all things cars”. He loved sharing his knowledge and letting them get their hands dirty.

Bob was a member of the Road Angels for many years and had two cars during that time, most recently his 1932 Ford Roadster which he proudly drove in many parades over the years.  His grandkids loved a ride to get ice cream in Opa’s car and all involved would be grinning from ear to ear. Opa loved being a grandfather and never missed a tournament, recital, big event to cheer his beloved Ian and Lily on. It was not a rare sighting to see him fill up while in the audience, too overwhelmed with pride to keep it in.

Bob became a school bus driver after he retired and his love for the kids he drove was apparent each day. From the treats he provided to students as they left the bus to the care he took driving his special needs students, Bob’s kindness shown through each day. 

That kindness was what made Bob who he was.  Whether you were a family member, a close friend, or a stranger, he helped you in any way he could and made you feel appreciated and cared for.  During the dark days of Covid, when so many families were struggling, Bob was using his stimulus checks to donate to local domestic abuse shelters, animal rescues and providing meals for hospital workers.  He lived his life with the motto “If I have something that would make your life easier…it is yours”.

Bob’s last grand gesture was to become a Tissue Donor.  His donations of bone, skin, and connective tissues will impact between 50-75 people.  Perfect strangers…whose lives will be forever made better by Bob. He wouldn’t want it any other way.

He is survived by his daughter, Kelly A. Schmitt and her husband Michael Hess of Lansdale his longtime companion, Nora Linton of Doylestown, and his grandson Ian and granddaughter, Lily.

His family will receive relatives and friends from 12:00pm until his Service, 1:00pm on Friday, July 21, 2023 in the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 241 East Butler Ave. New Britain, PA 18901.

Please join the family after the service at Castle Park in Doylestown.  Bring blankets, picnic lunch, etc and Rita’s water ice will be served to all. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Gift of Life, 401 N. 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19123 or Laurel House, P.O. Box 764, Norristown, PA 19404.

Send Flowers And Gifts