Paul Anthony Schmitz Obituary (1946 - 2017)

Paul Anthony Schmitz died in his home in Lincoln on June 29, 2017. He was born September 29, 1946 in Minneapolis, MN to Roberta (Mowrey) and George Schmitz, Jr. Paul served as an officer in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and while deployed became the youngest U.S. Army company commander in Vietnam. He received his undergraduate degree in Forestry from the University of Minnesota in 1972. Afterwards, he graduated from Army flight school in 1979, flew helicopters stateside for multiple years, and taught at Army military survival schools including Alaska. Paul's passion was fitness and nutrition, and passing on that knowledge; he was a competitive triathlete and marathoner, completed the Ironman triathlon in 1981, led an Army military pentathlon team competing internationally, and passed on his legacy through coaching dozens of triathletes and marathoners. After his Army career, he spent the rest of his working life in social work, from child protective services to specialized supervision. Paul moved to Nebraska in 1996 to continue to be near his children, who were the love of his life. He retired in 2012. Paul loved camping, and visited numerous National Forests and state parks in Nebraska and the United States with his son over the years. Paul is survived by his son, Stephen Anthony and granddaughter, Mckenzie; daughter, Sarah Anthony; mother of his children, Karen Anthony; sisters, Monica Thyberg, Judith Olson, Barbara Wilhelm, Rita Fassbinder, nieces, nephews, and close friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Stephen Schmitz, his son's namesake. Paul will be remembered for his gentle spirit and unwavering love for his children. Never a day went by that he wasn't sharing an example or fact about something - fitness, nutrition, camping, survival, the English language, or just life. The lessons he taught will be remembered for a lifetime. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Boy Scouts of America.