Frank A. Schmidt, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)
January 18, 1930 – February 27, 2005

Frank Albert Schmidt, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, died Sunday of Alzheimer’s disease at Garland Convalescent Center. He was 75.

Lt. Col. Schmidt was born in New Orleans and lived in Hot Springs, Ark., for the past 14 years. He was a graduate of Alcee Fortier High School and Loyola University. He received a master’s degree from the University of Southern California. He served in the Air Force for 20 years and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He served with the Apollo site recovery force and the Jolly Green Air Rescue. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Meritorious Service Medal. He later was an ROTC instructor at West Monroe High School for 20 years.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Jean Schmidt; three sons, Steven A. and John H. Schmidt, and Frank A. Schmidt Jr.; two daughters, Deborah L. Heim and Barbara C. Prisco; a stepson, Thomas E. Whatley; a stepdaughter, Lisa Marie Smith; a sister, Margaret Jackson; 19 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A Mass will be said Thursday at noon at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Lake Lawn Cemetery.

Burial information: Lake Lawn Cemetery, Metairie, LA

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Major Schmidt served in the Vietnam War as a C/HH-3E pilot with Det. 5, 38th ARS (later ARRS) in the 1965-1966-time frame.