Dan C. Schmidt – 51, passed away on March 10, 2020, at the University of Kansas Medical Center surrounded by family. He was born to Donald D. Schmidt and Nellie Ann (Mininger) Schmidt July 25, 1968, at Susan B. Allen Hospital in El Dorado, KS. He was the fourth of five children. He married Maria Cristina Garcia on April 22, 1995, in Mexico City. Following his marriage in Mexico City to Cristy, he discovered his new wife could not re-enter the United States and embarked on a crusade to secure citizenship for his bride. They were then blessed with one daughter, Alexee Ann Schmidt, 17. He is survived by his wife, Cristy; his daughter, Alexee; siblings: Tom Schmidt (Susie) of Eudora; Barbara Unruh of Newton, Tim Schmidt (Deb) of Lenexa; Jerry Schmidt (Sue) of Shawnee; and mother Nellie Schmidt of Lenexa.

He was preceded in death by father Don Schmidt; grandparents Clayton Mininger and wife Edna; Dan D. Schmidt and wife Lizzie; nephew Ethan Schmidt. 

He attended Peabody (KS) schools graduating high school in the class of 1986. He received his B.S.E degree from Emporia State University in 1992, in Theatre/English/Speech. He received his M.F.A. from the University of Idaho in 2019. He began his teaching career at Newton High School in 1992 through 1997. He then moved on to Blue Valley High School in Overland Park, KS from 1997 through 2010. Finally moving to Blue Valley Southwest High School in Overland Park, KS from 2010-present. Dan was a gifted theater director and much-loved by his students and peers. His productions received many awards at the state and national levels and many of his students went on to continue their thespian careers in college and beyond. He often took groups of students to New York to experience the theater on Broadway. He devoted many summers himself to community theater productions and continuing to master not only his craft but expanding the knowledge of theater productions to many students. He worked tirelessly to present the best quality theater at the secondary level in the country and he was proud of the accolades he and his students received. 

Dan was a devoted father and husband and was proud of his family. 

As a child, he had an extraordinary imagination and even at a young age created his own costumes (Captain America). At a young age, he found the arts – band, plays, theater –  and it would eventually become his passion. He loved attending his daughter’s sporting events, following KU sports, Dungeons and Dragons, reading, Shakespeare, Bruce Springsteen, Star Wars, X-Files and playing cards with his extended family. Dan never met someone he couldn’t talk with and had a knack for bringing people together from all facets of life. Dan was able to share his passion and encourage his students to follow their dreams and to never stop believing in themselves. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am at United Methodist Church of the Resurrection  13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS 66224 Sat. March 14, 2020. Reception to follow 12:00pm- 2:00pm. The sanctuary is Building A on the west side of the campus.  Parking is south and west of the campus. A  private burial will follow the reception.  

Additional information is that that  the service will live-streamed and will begin at 11:00 am cst The url is https://events.blogs.cor.org/memorialsonline

A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date and will be posted through social media.

An educational fund has been established for Alexee. Checks or cash can be sent to Capitol Federal, 15700 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee, KS 66217. Checks should be payable to Capitol Federal with 0437 in the memo; if cash is donated please include a note indicating the donation is for 0437.  In addition, the donation can be made through a Go Fund Me Account at this address https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-family-of-dan-schmidt

 

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