Gerrit Schmidt-Weymans

Gerrit (Jerry) Schmidt-Weymans passed away August 10, 2010 at the age of 72. Jerry was born on October 21, 1937 in Indonesia and immigrated to the United States settling in Pasadena in 1961. In 1963 he began a 31 year career at Xerox where he became a supervisor in several departments, and ended up becoming a Mechanical Engineer. After he retired from Xerox in 1994, he went to work for Lockheed Martin for nine years and retired in 2003. In 1963 he met the love of his life, Maria van Emmerloot and on February 1, 1964 they were joined in Holy Matrimony at Precious Blood Catholic Church in Los Angeles. When they moved to Duarte, Immaculate Conception Church became their family and spiritual home. The couple was very active in the parish. Gerrit was president of Holy Name Society (2 years), also became a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Jerry always desired to become a 4th degree Knight and thanks to his brother Knights he was initiated as a 4th degree Knight two hours before he died. In 1979 and 1980 he was chairman of IC Fiesta. Gerrit and Maria were Eucharistic Ministers, and were also CCD and Confirmation teachers for 25 years. For many years he was also involved with the annual Fantasia fund raising at Santa Teresita run by the Carmelite sisters, whom he dearly loved. Although he had his college degree in Holland, he went back to school, obtained his highschool diploma from Monrovia High School, his AS degree from Citrus College, and his bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University. He and his wife developed a passion for traveling every year to several countries in the world. They went on more than 25 cruises. It was discovered in 1966 that he was born with a defective heart (left ventricle aortic stenosis) and that he needed a heart transplant. Not until 2003 when he collapsed at a party, rushed to the hospital, was coded three times within 24 hours, that they implanted a defibrillator/pacemaker. Even when his increasingly compromised condition became more difficult to handle, he lived his life to the fullest. Gerrit was a very kind and extremely generous person. He will always be remembered for his big heart, marvelous wit, infectious smile and wonderful sense of humor. He always lived his life to help others and enjoyed his wonderful retirement. He will be sorely missed by his wife, brothers and sisters, sister-in-law Anne, brother-in-law Louis, nieces, nephews, and a multitude of lifelong friends. Contributions in Jerry’s memory may be made to the Mt Carmel Retreat Center, 39501 - 180th St. East in Palmdale, CA 93591-3312. Care entrusted to Douglass & Zook Chapel of Remembrance in Monovia.