George John Smidt

George J. Smidt (Age 71) On October 15, 2017, George Smidt, of Gambrills, MD, passed away surrounded by his family.  George is survived by his wife of 49 years, Virginia Ann Smidt and their children Stephen (Geraldine), Cynthia, and Veronica (Kurt Patterson).  He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Liam, Tristan and Seth Patterson and Elise and Karina Smidt, his sister, Mary Ann Diem, and brother, Francis (Maryann) Smidt. George was born on November 20, 1945, in Baltimore Maryland, to Frank and Genevieve Smidt.  He attended Calvert Hall High School and graduated in 1967 from Johns Hopkins University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.  Upon graduating, George served in the Air Force until 1972.   After separating from active duty, he continued to serve as a reservist until 1996, when he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was active in assisting as the Logistics Officer for the Civil Air Patrol National Capital Wing during his time in the reserves.  After leaving active duty, George took a position with NOAA assisting in the NOAA Weather Radio development. George was awarded an M.S. in Computer Science by UMUC in 2007. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society of the University of Maryland.  He was a member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Gaithersburg Maryland and after moving to Gambrills of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. He was a voracious reader of science fiction and an enthusiastic learner.  He loved tinkering with older American cars and had a passion for astronomy and fishing.  He cared deeply for his family and delighted in experiencing air shows with them. Friends and family are invited to attend a viewing from 6:00 to 8:00  p.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2017, at Beall Funeral Home, 6512 NW Crain Hwy (Rt 3 South), Bowie, MD 20715.   A visitation will be held, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church on Friday, October 20, at 10:30 a.m., to be followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. George will be buried at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville, MD. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of the Chesapeake. Online condolences may be left at www.beallfuneral.com.