Robert A. Schmidt

Robert A. Schmidt, 59, of Greenback, Tennessee, passed away on April 4, 2016, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center after suffering two debilitating strokes on March 22. Bob, affectionately called Bob-the-Farmer by his many friends, was born on July 8, 1956, in Frenchtown, New Jersey to Albert and Shirley Schmidt. Bob is lovingly remembered by his only daughter Paden (Schmidt) Sawyer and her husband Daniel Sawyer of Louisville, Tennessee; his parents Albert (87) and Shirley Schmidt (85) of Greenback, Tennessee; his former spouse Patsy Love of Maryville, Tennessee; his sister Beth (Schmidt) Anderson and her husband James Anderson of Cincinnati, Ohio; his niece Dana Dalrmple of Louisville, Tennessee, and his many friends in Eastern-Tennessee. Bob grew up in rural Frenchtown, New Jersey, alongside the scenic Delaware River; located near historic Washington’s Crossing and Pennsylvania’s Buck’s County. He was an active boy Scout who traveled with his troop to Cimarron, New Mexico and Pikes Peak, Colorado; a club wrestler with the Riegel Ridge Rams as well as a little league baseball player. A 1974 graduate of Delaware Valley Regional High School near Frenchtown, New Jersey, Bob earned letters in wrestling and football. During High School Bob also worked summers at Riegel Ridge Paper Company and at a nearby large dairy farm. Also during his high school years, he was very active with the local stock car circuit which led later in life to becoming a pit crew member of NASCAR legend D.K. Ulrich along with Maryville’s Loren “Smokey” Almond. Bob obtained a business degree at Maryville College in 1978 and after graduating purchased a cattle farm on Maple Lane in Greenback. Bob served as President of the Tennessee Cattleman’s Association for several years. In the Mid-80’s, Bob’s parents, who had been life-long produce farmers in New Jersey, moved to Greenback and purchased farm land adjacent to Bob’s property. Today, their combined 217 acre family farm is well known as Maple Lane Farm. Bob and his parents were pioneers in transitioning Maple Lane Farm from a farm that raised cattle, corn, hay, tobacco, and a variety of summer vegetables to a farm that also attracted young families from all over the region to visit their farm for extraordinary family-friendly agritourism activities. Over time, Maple Lane Farms added agritainment activities that included strawberry picking festivals, school class trips, corn mazes, hay rides and pumpkin picking. As visitors increased Maple Lane Farms began hosting music concerts showcasing local performers. Their fall festival was a favorite of many eastern-Tennessee families who returned each year for wholesome family fun. Using a Maple Lane Farm tractor, Bob hosted Santa each fall during the Thanksgiving Parade in Maryville. For the past two years Maple Lane Farm hosted legendary county-singer Luke Bryan’s Farm Show Tour which brought 20,000 Luke Bryan fans to Greenback each October, and provided a significant up-tick in income to local area businesses. Bob was a kind, gentle spirited, loving and patient man who will be greatly missed by his family and by the many friends who will always carry Bob’s memory in their hearts. The Schmidt Family is committed to carrying on Bob’s vision for Maple Lane Farm and the desire to see his legacy live on for the young families of Eastern Tennessee who so loved his farm. Since Bob died without health insurance, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to: https://www.gofundme.com/farmerbob. A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Maple Lane Farm. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Robert A. Schmidt please visit our Sympathy Store.