Arthur (Art) L. Schmidt, a Northern Kentucky legend for his service to the legislature and the community, died Sunday. He was 91.
Art Schmidt, legislator. Photo from Kenton County Public Library Archives, by Richard Pridemore, The Kentucky Post
Schmidt was born May 1, 1927, in Cold Spring to Joseph and Elizabeth Schmidt who preceded him in death.
He served 18 years in the Kentucky House of Representatives, representing the 69th District, where he rose to the position of Minority Floor Leader, and for nine years as a Kentucky State Senator, from the 11th District, where he was elected Minority Caucus Chairman. He was one of Kentucky’s longest-tenured legislators.
Schmidt introduced the bill to create the first multi-county tourist and convention center in the Commonwealth, currently the Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitors Bureau. He also proposed and secured passage and funding to provide qualified guidance counselors in our elementary schools.
One of his proudest accomplishments was his bill to create and secure the funding and location for Northern Kentucky State College, currently Northern Kentucky University.
Schmidt attended Newport Catholic High School and the University of Kentucky’s Northern Kentucky extension. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran serving in the South Pacific during WWII and the Occupation Force of Japan.
Art Schmidt and his signature smile. (Kenton County Public Library archive)
He was a retired Market Development Manager, Cincinnati Bell.
He also served as a Cold Spring City Council member
Schmidt was a Delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1964, 1968, and 1972. He was elected President of the Kentucky Electoral College in 1980. He served on the Board of Directors as well as several committees for the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Northern Kentucky Bank & Trust, Provident Bank, Lakeside Place, and the Northern Kentucky Area Development District.
He is remembered for his unwavering commitment to his family and his community service. Also for his loving spirit, generosity, energy, character, integrity, sense of humor, and his smile.
“Art Schmidt was one of the finest men that I have ever known,” said Jack Moreland, now president of Southbank Partners, but a former Dayton School Superintendent and once interim president of Northern Kentucky University.
“When I think of the word statesman, I think of Art Schmidt. He was honest, willing to listen and although he was always in the minority party, he was able to assemble a coalition of like-minded to pass legislation to help the Commonwealth.
“We could use a gaggle of Art Schmidts in both Washington and Frankfort.
“My sympathy to Marianne and the rest of the family but you should feel good in knowing what a great man your father was.”
Bill Goetz, a contemporary of Schmidt’s and former Mayor of Fort Mitchell, remembers him fondly.
“When I think of Art Schmidt, I am reminded of two things. First and foremost that he was really a great legislator and an even greater person.
“The second is a visual of him flying past me on I-75 on a Monday morning like a bat out of hell in order to make his first committee meeting of the new week. He even actually introduced a bill in the House calling for all Ohio drivers to stay in the right-hand lane when traveling Kentucky’s interstates.
“He was a great individual.”
Preceded in death by brothers William Schmidt and Hank Schmidt, he was the loving husband for 57 years to the late Marian (Seibert) Schmidt.
He is survived by daughters Karen Schmidt and Marianne Schmidt Hurtt, grandchildren Alex Hurtt and Emily Corley, grandson-in-law Christopher Corley, brothers Raymond Schmidt, Fr. Leo Schmidt, sister-in-law Pat Schmidt, many cousins, and several dear nieces and nephews.
Visitation at St. Joseph Catholic Church (Cold Spring), 4011 Alexandria Pike, on Friday (Sept. 7) from 11:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Gerald Reinersman.
Burial following mass at St. Joseph Cemetery (Cold Spring) with military honors. Donations in lieu of flowers to St. Joseph Church, Cold Spring.
Special condolences may be expressed at www.dmefuneral.com Dobbling, Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home serving the family.
Bill Donnermeyer and Art Schmidt, 1979, in Frankfort. (Kenton County Public Library archives, Kentucky Post photo)
As time flies so did my friend Representative Art Schmidt who was a diligent worker for the people of Northern Kentucky. He was a student and teacher of the mechanics of the bureaucracy in Government and as a member of the minority those skills paided off big time with the authorization of what is now the University of Northern Kentucky. I cannot tell you what a important roll that many members of our Northern Kentucky delegation played but I can tell you that without Representative Phillip King, Democrat and Representative Art Schmidt, Republican and Louie Nunn Governor it would not have become a reality in 1968. I was President of the student body and it was a major project and a major battle but with the help of these two leading the delagation it became a reality..I will share more on my TV show, Are You Ready, tomorrow Thursday, at its taping for Spectrum 422 and facebook and YouTube.
Dr. John A Stephenson former Superintendent of Education for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
If it weren’t for Senator Art Schmidt, the NKU music building would not have been approved by the senate and built. He was a nice guy and tireless advocate for our region.