Kent firefighter Robert W. “Bob” Schmidt died Sunday night after a 10-month battle with brain cancer.
Family, friends, and fellow firefighters were at his side when he passed away, according to a Kent Fire Department media release. He is survived by his wife, Kim; and his two sons, Erik and Alex.
Because his cancer was determined to have been caused by his work as a firefighter, Schmidt’s death is considered to be a line of duty death, according to fire officials. He will be honored by the state at the 2014 Washington State Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service. The fallen firefighter service is held annually in Olympia to honor those Washington State firefighters who have given their lives for the communities they served.
A funeral service is being planned by the Schmidt family and the Kent Fire Department. More information will be published as it becomes available.
Schmidt joined the Kent Fire Department in September 1989. He spent most of his career on C-shift at Fire Station 71. Over the course of his career, he responded to thousands of 911 calls.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with engineer Schmidt’s family,” said Kent Fire Chief Jim Schneider, who was with Schmidt when he died. “We have lost a great guy who placed his family as his number one priority. He could light up a room with his smile and his enthusiasm for everything and everyone he believed in.”
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