Robert W. Schmitt

Age 94, of Sewickley, passed away peacefully on Sunday Dec. 16, 2018, with his children at his side.  Bob was born October 2, 1924 in Paintsville, Kentucky.  He was a loving husband for 39 years to his late wife, Mary Elizabeth Sefler Schmitt.  He is survived by his daughter, Mary Ann Bell (Stuart), his son, Robert J. Schmitt (Shannon), and grandsons Christopher Bell, Simeon Schmitt, Finn Schmitt, and Jaden Schmitt.

Bob retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where he was Chief Hydraulic Design and Chief of the Hydraulics and Hydrology Branch.  He served the U.S. Government for 44 years, including seven years with the Geological Survey Water Resources.  Bob was a registered professional engineer in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania and held a Fellow membership in the American Society of Civil Engineers.  In 1986 he was awarded the honor of Government Civil Engineer of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers.  In all, Bob published 17 engineering papers for worldwide seminars and performed hydraulic designs for flood-control dams, including the Kinzua Dam, West Branch Dam, Woodcock Dam, Union City Dam, Shenango Dam, and Stonewall Jackson Dam.  He performed hydraulic designs for navigation locks and dams such as Pike Island, Hannibal, Grays Landing, Opekiska, and Maxwell on the Ohio and Monongahela Rivers.  Bob also formulated specifications for add-on hydropower at Youghiogheny Dam, Hannibal Dam, and four other locks and dams on the Allegheny River.

Bob served under the Fifth Army during WWII.  After retiring he published two travel books: “See”-ze The World That Belongs to You and “Unusual People I Have Met While Traveling.”

Visitation Wed. 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Neely Funeral Home, 2208 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw, PA 15116

Mass of Christian Burial Thurs. 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Middle Rd.

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