David Schmitt

David Charles
Schmitt
David Charles Schmitt, 22,
of Casper, died May 7, 2011,
of a tragic accident at the War
Memorial Stadium on the
campus of the University of
Wyoming.
He was born on May 24, 1988, in Grand Junction,
CO, to Chuck and Susie Schmitt.
David and family lived in Scottsbluff and Kearney,
Nebraska before settling in Casper in 2003. He was a
2007 graduate of Kelly Walsh High School where he
excelled at cheering for his fellow students. He was
a member of Student Council, National Honor Society
and served as Student Body Vice-President. He was
an active member in the community. David attained the
rank of Eagle Scout in 2006.
Early in life, David developed a passion for water and
would forever be surrounded by it. He began swimming
at age 7 and while in high school, was voted Wyoming
High School Swim Coaches Association Athlete of the
Year and Wyoming Swimming Male Swimmer of the
Year. He was a United States Swimming Scholastic All-
American and was a 3-time Wyoming State champion
in the 100 Butterfly and 200 Individual Medley.
David also lived to kayak. He could always be found
at the Platte River play park in Casper sharing his love
of playboating with others. He spent his summers
chasing his dream of someday becoming a professional
kayaker, seeking out rivers throughout the western U.S.
and traveling to Canada. He was employed by Royal
Gorge Rafting, Canon City, CO, as a safety boater and
was a skilled water rescuer. Above all, David was a
teacher, allowing others to explore their love of water,
whether through teaching kids to swim or guiding
rafters down a river.
David's love of water earned him a position on the
University of Wyoming Men's Swimming and Diving
Team where again he excelled at leadership. He was
honored to have been team captain this past year and
was very humbled to have been voted "Most Inspiring
Cowboy" by his teammates for 3 years in a row. He
loved his team and he loved being a cowboy. While
attending the university, he was a member of the
Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), served as
President and Co-Chaired the Mountain West Region.
David was to have graduated with his B.S. in Geology
on the morning of his death.
David was preceded in death by his grandfather,
Harold Schmitt, and is survived by his parents, Chuck
and Susie Schmitt, his brother Bob Schmitt and sister
Julie Schmitt, all of Casper, his grandmother Jeanne
(Bignell) Schmitt of Hemingford, NE, grandparents
Bob and Aubin (Clarkson) Hutchison of Gunnison, CO,
and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A Celebration of David's Life will be held Thursday,
May 12, at 11:00 a.m., at First United Methodist Church
in Casper. Visitation will be Wednesday evening, May
11, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Newcomers Funeral Home
and Thursday at First United Methodist Church from
10:00 a.m. until service time.
In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a memorial
in David's name, the David Schmitt Memorial Fund, in
care of Newcomer Funeral Home, 710 E. Second Street,
Casper, Wyoming, 82601.