Dale Richard Schmid

Dale Schmid passed away peacefully on October 3, 2021 after a brief illness. He is survived by Susan, his wife of 43 years; his two children, Craig Schmid and Heidi Vrabel; his three stepchildren, Catherine Elmasian (Gary), Marc Burkhard (Sondra), and Kurt Burkhard; his grandchildren Stephen Vrabel (Taylor), Tawni Mead (Russell), Cari Hanson (Brent), Matt Elmasian (Ashley), Brianna Quist (AJ), Brandon Burkhard, Marissa Burkhard; and his great-grandchildren Trenton Vrabel and Matilda Hanson. He is also survived by his brother, Ron Schmid (Jackie). He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Alice Schmid; his brother Gary Schmid; and his great-granddaughter Violet Hanson. Dale grew up on a farm in North Dakota. He attended a one-room school in Barlow through eighth grade. While a student in Barlow, he won the state rural school Freedom Train essay contest, was President of the Young Citizens League, and finished as the top student in Foster County. At Carrington High School, Dale was class president all four years, was co-captain of the football team, and won a state grain judging contest. He graduated second in his class in 1954. Following high school, Dale joined the U.S. Army, serving from 1954 to 1956, and was stationed at Camp Fuji in Japan from 1955-1956. After an honorable discharge, Dale attended the University of North Dakota on the GI Bill, graduating magna cum laude in Accounting/Law in 1960. Following graduation, he moved to Seattle and joined the Big Eight accounting firm of Haskins and Sells. Dale completed the necessary examinations and other qualifications to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 1961. He remained in the Seattle office through 1964. In Seattle, Dale met and married Sandra Wilson in 1961. Dale and Sandra had two children together. They were divorced in 1971. Dale moved to California in 1964, transferring to the San Francisco office of Haskins and Sells. His work mostly involved public companies. He specialized in consumer products and retailing, working with such companies as Clorox, Longs Drugs, Gallo, and C&H sugar. He became a partner in 1971. The company underwent various mergers and name changes ultimately becoming Deloitte and Touche at the end of his career. He retired in 1994. Dale met and married Susan Burkhard in 1978. They were very happy, built a wonderful life together, and remained married until his passing. They lived in Lafayette, California until Dale’s retirement and then moved to Santa Rosa. They have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally including several trips in recent years with Road Scholar. In his retirement, Dale kept busy with many activities. He took classes at Sonoma State University, participated in committees representing residents at his retirement community, and served on the Sonoma County Grand Jury. He served on the board of the World Affairs Council of Sonoma County and was a 20-year member of the Santa Rosa Chapter of the American Association of Individual Investors. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Museum of Sonoma County and devoted a lot of time to this institution. He was a member of the Museum’s Board of Directors at the time of his death. He never forgot his North Dakota roots and published a weekly ND News Digest for the last twenty years of his life. He enjoyed that work and hoped that it brought enjoyment to others. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Museum of Sonoma County, the World Affairs Council of Sonoma County, or a charity of your choice.