Birth date: Oct 25, 1940 Death date: May 29, 2023
Neil Martin Schmitt passed away on Monday, May 29, 2023. He was born October 25, 1940 in Pekin, IL to Henrietta and Harold Schmitt. He grew up in Peoria, IL but lived most of his life in Fayetteville, AR. Neil also considered his Read Obituary
My sincere condolences to the Schmitt family. Dr. Schmitt fought his health challenges so very bravely and admirably. He was an excellent Dean of
Engineering and it was a privilege to work in the college during his tenure.
Dear Carolyn: My name is Marilyn "Fern" Hubbard Dotson.(1963 and 1969). I count you as a dear friend. We were in the same college and had a number of classes together. I knew Neil through you. In the latest U of A directory, you and Neil said - Blessed beyond measure. What wonderful lives you and Neil have shared together. I watched your careers particularly after your return to Fayetteville. You both have been so successful in engineering, medicine, and real estate. You along with Neil have also lived great Christian lives, providing that kind of life for your children and grandchildren - and the whole area. The two of you were my most respected couple while a student at the U of A and have continued to be. I consider it an honor to have known you and had you as friends. God bless you and your family. Fern Dotson.
What a good and strong man who made a difference. Sending love
I am so sorry to hear about Neil's passing but what rejoicing there must have been in heaven when he entered! I will always appreciate Neil and Carolyn opening up their homes to us "young" people in our young adult lives. They both demonstrated Christ's love to us through their words and actions. Neil impacted so many lives. I have no doubt he heard the words "Well done, good and faithful servant". I am praying for the family in the days and weeks to come...
Neil and I share the U of A 1963 graduation year and have always been friends. He was always a great listener and thinker. He was always in step with God and now he can walk with Him. Carolyn and family may you be comforted as you adjust to life without Neil.
David Foust
Neil became my Sunday School teacher in the early 1980s. I was quickly impressed by his wisdom, wit, and desire to help young couples. Marj and I were a part of a discipleship group led by Neil and Carolyn a year or two later. Those were good times. Their efforts helped me to become a better man, husband, and servant of Christ. I am forever thankful.
Dear Carolyn and the Schmitt family,
I followed Neil into the Office of the Dean of Engineering at University of Arkansas in 2003 and held that position for the next 9 years. I was so impressed with the respect and admiration with which people remembered Neil's two stints as dean. He was very dedicated to UA and the College and I could always count on his wise counsel anytime I wanted it fully assured that his advice will always be in the best interest of the College. His vision to turn the old factory for manufacturing garments into a world-class research center to this day is serving the College and the University very well. Without that vision, the college would never have become what it is today. Annual external research expenditures in the college have risen from a few hundred thousand dollars to almost $50 M today that would never had been possible without Neil's decision to build the research center. It was a very difficult and courageous decision at the time.
Both Carolyn and Neil were among the first to welcome Madhu and I to Fayetteville when we arrived in 2003. May your soul rest in peace Neil! We also wish Carolyn and the family the strength to bear the loss.
Ashok and Madhu Saxena
Just learned of Neil’s passing.so very sorry. He was a good man and a fine leader.
Don White
