by DOC » Sat Dec 05, 2020 11:28 am
ROBERT SCHMIDT
South Adelaide footballer
and teacher
Born: January 22, 1943, Adelaide
Died: November 4, 2020, Adelaide
BOB Schmidt was playing on the halfback flank when the siren sounded in 1964 to signal South Adelaide’s most recent grand final win.
Panthers’ premiership coach Neil Kerley described Schmidt as “the best halfback I have seen in the league and its most efficient player, with no weaknesses in his game”.
Schmidt was selected in the Panthers’ all-time greatest team, playing 164 games from 1962 to 1971, and winning the club best and fairest in 1965.
He represented the state 11 times, including a memorable win against Victoria at Adelaide Oval in 1965, where the Croweaters stormed home by 64 points.
In that match, Schmidt produced an outstanding display on Footscray and Victorian great Ted Whitten, who was getting so soundly beaten he had to be shifted.
Born during World War II, Schmidt dreamt of becoming an architect as a boy. But, after his father died, family circumstances led him to teachers’ college. Schmidt became a history and geography teacher, which he loved.
He had a long and successful teaching career in both public and private schools. This included stints at Mount Barker High, Ingle Farm, Woodcroft and the University Senior College at the University of Adelaide. Schmidt retired in 2010 as dean of studies and the head of USC international school.
He was passionate about sharing knowledge. He was also funny and entertaining. Schmidt was respected and valued by colleagues and students alike.
After retiring from SANFL football, Schmidt was awarded SANFL player life membership in 1972. He then coached and played at Onkaparinga Valley, taking them to a premiership. He hung up his boots in 1980. Schmidt was inducted into the South Adelaide Hall of Fame in 2002.
After giving the game away, he took up marathon kayaking. Schmidt enjoyed paddling on the Onkaparinga River in the company of his kayaking team and competing in Murray River distance races, bringing home many medals.
He was also a keen sailor, captaining and crewing in a host of yachts. Schmidt loved boats of all types.
He owned many, including a yacht called the Naiad, a sharpie, a houseboat and an old wooden fishing boat called the Norma Jean.
He had a 5.8m cedar strip canoe for the whole family, row boats for the children and model yachts for some of his students.
When he wasn’t on the water, Schmidt was piloting a glider at Waikerie.
He loved camping and took time off from teaching to trek across Nepal and around Cradle Mountain in Tasmania.
After his retirement, Schmidt and wife Inger also travelled throughout Asia and Europe.
He continued his passion for historical research during these years. This passion began in 1983 when Schmidt was commissioned by Mount Barker Council to write Mountain Upon the Plain, a history of the area.
In 2017 he published a novel, Unwanted, based on the life of one of his ancestors.
Another achievement was a diploma in massage, which he used to work with refugees who had survived torture and trauma.
Schmidt was also an artist. He was already a talented cartoonist when he enrolled for oil-painting classes. He also enjoyed painting with watercolours. Several of his works were sold and many still bring pleasure to his family and friends.
Schmidt was known for having a keen and analytical mind. He tried everything, judged no one and excelled at almost everything he did.
In 2013, while paddling, he noticed a problem with his balance, causing him to fall out of his canoe. He was eventually diagnosed with the rare brain disorder progressive supranuclear palsy.
Schmidt is survived by Inger, three children and six grandchildren.