Raymond George Schmidt, 90 of Solomons, MD formerly of Silver Spring, MD died on October 19, 2011, peacefully at home with his loving family by his side. He was born on May 27, 1921 and raised in Bound Brook, NJ by his loving parents Maud Lenore and Charles Schmidt. As a child of the Depression, he learned the meaning of hard work and ingenuity. He would say he had a "normal" upbringing, playing and camping in his backyard.

Education was important to Ray. He graduated in 1939 from Bound Brook High School, Bound Brook, NJ; and in 1948 Ray graduated from Bliss Electrical School, Takoma Park, MD. Ray thoroughly enjoyed the work at the college level. Enjoying it so much, that he pursued college level courses from 1948-1968 and came within one semester of graduation. His love of learning was something he passed on to his daughters, both of whom became teachers with long careers

He left home on February 23, 1942. Saying goodbye to his mother at the railroad station and riding into New York City with his father, he reported to the US Navy Induction Center and took the oath of the United States Navy. Ray held the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate, 1st Class, serving as the flight engineer for one of 12 PBM Martin Mariners in Patrol Squadron VP 212, stationed in San Juan NAS, Puerto Rico and later in Port of Spain NAS, Trinidad. The job of the squadron was to cover and protect convoys in the south Atlantic. Ray received the Combat Aircrew Badge, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal with one Bronze battle star and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged on December 23, 1947 from USNAS Norfolk, VA

In February 1943, Ray met Jane at her home in Washington, DC. Given the urgency of a country at war, they were married on April 11, 1944 in Hamline United Methodist Church, Washington, D. C. and have had a strong, solid, loving marriage for 67 years. Ray worked for Harry Diamond Laboratory, Department of the United States Army as a Senior Electrician Technician for thirty two years until his retirement in June of 1974.

Ray moved from Montgomery County to Calvert County in 1983. Ray and Jane enjoyed over 25 years of sailing on their Cape Dory 27 out of Zahniser's Marina, Solomons, MD. Ray was an amateur radio operator, a member of the United States Power Squadron, helped with Meals on Wheels, was a counselor with the Boy Scout of America, an active Member of Marvin Memorial, Hughes, Smithville and Trinity United Methodist Churches, an avid sailor and active in the Asbury~Solomons community. Ray and Jane were blessed to experience over thirty years of retirement. Family, sailing, volunteer work and travel made for a fulfilling time. Ray was a gentle man and an honorable man. His loyalty and devotion to his wife, family, country and to God made him a person of high regard to all that knew him.

Ray is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jane Leitzel Schmidt of Solomons, MD; daughters, Laraine Kretchman and husband John of Meyersdale, PA and Susan Cox and husband David of Prince Frederick, MD; six grandchildren John S. Kretchman and his partner Christopher Hyde, Jennifer Darnell and husband Arthur, Amy Rippey and husband Brian, David Cox and wife Cathy, Catherine Cox and Charles Cox; six great grandchildren Eliza, Ella, Elaina, Elyssa, David A. Cox, III and Ethan Rippey and many other family and friends.

A celebration of Ray's life will be held on Friday, November 11, 2011, 1:30 PM (Veterans Day), at Asbury~Solomons Auditorium, 11100 Asbury Circle, Solomons, MD. with the Rev. Randall Casto officiating. Inurnment will take place in Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD with military honors rendered by the United States Navy. Honorary pallbearers are John R. Kretchman, John S. Kretchman, Brian Rippey, David A. Cox, Sr., David A. Cox, Jr., Arthur Darnell, J. Scott Whitney, Charles R. Cox, Christopher Hyde and Robert Hamilton.

Should friends desire memorial contributions may be made to Calvert Hospice, P. O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 "Donations are encourage on-line at www.calverthospice.org" or to Asbury~Solomons Benevolent Care Fund, c/o Melissa Carnes, 11100 Asbury Circle, Solomons, MD, 20688.

Funeral arrangements were provided by the Rausch Funeral Home, P. A., Lusby, MD.