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Longtime Coronado resident Ruth K. “Patty” Schmidt, distinguished community leader and beloved friend, wife and mother, passed away on Saturday, August 21, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Patty was the daughter of Wilbur Black Kuhns and Ruth Wilson Kuhns. Her father was called “Pat”, and his daughter Ruth always was known as “Patty”.
As a young girl, Patty attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Pennsylvania. Her mother moved her and her sister, Anne, to California as teenagers to live in Long Beach. She attended UC Santa Barbara.
In 1945, she married Naval Academy graduate, Robert E. Tugend, and traveled extensively as a Navy wife while raising their four children.
The family moved to Coronado in 1956. In 1962 she met John Carroll Schmidt, a Navy Lt. assigned to Underwater Demolition Team 12 at NAB Coronado; they married in 1963. In 1964, Patty, in her unflappable style, permitted John to pack her, the three boys, two dogs, one cat, and a 20-lb desert tortoise, along with their luggage into a Volkswagon Bug for the journey to New Orleans, where John attended medical school at Tulane University. Upon completion, they returned to Coronado, where John established a medical practice.
In Coronado Patty began working for a variety of local businesses, including Rollie Martin Ford, Lee Mather Realty, John Duringer Chevrolet, Coronado Veterinary Hospital and the Coronado Chamber of Commerce. She also worked for the Coronado Public Schools. At the same time she volunteered for many civic organizations, including Coronado Little League and Coronado Woman’s Club. She discovered an affinity for public service and became a major force in city government. After serving on the Coronado City Planning Commission for eight years, Patty was elected to the Coronado City Council in 1988 and served for an unprecedented 16 years. Patty’s campaign slogan “Patty Schmidt: You Know Where She Stands!” summed up not only her direct, fair and clear-headed approach to city politics and policies but also the way she lived her life.
She was an outspoken champion for preserving the unique village character of Coronado. Patty was a primary creator of the Tidelands Overlay Zone (TOZ), which protects precious parkland for “public use/open space”. She was instrumental in the establishment of Tidelands Park and Centennial Park in Coronado. The Ferry Ticket Booth at the entrance to Centennial Park bears a plaque celebrating her efforts, which led to the preservation of the historic structure and the priceless view of San Diego and the bay. Her name appears on plaques throughout the city, including the new $43M Community Center on Glorietta Bay. Another one of her pet projects was restoration of Coronado’s original fire truck, “Little Mac”. To recognize her many accomplishments, the mayor of Coronado proclaimed December 7, 2004 “Patty Schmidt Day”.
Patty was an elder and a deacon of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church. She loved to listen and sing along with hymns recorded by Tennessee Ernie Ford. She also served on the Board of Directors for several Coronado organizations including the Coronado Historical Association and Coronado MainStreet, Ltd.
Patty is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, John C. Schmidt, MD; her four children: Nan Waters of Sebastopol, CA (George Breck), Robert Tugend, DVM of Bonita, CA (Alyssa), Richard Tugend of Coronado (Wendy), and David Tugend of Coronado (Christie), and her seven beloved grandchildren: Fergus Breck and Daniel, Patrick, Katie, Keven, Alexandra and Jay Tugend.
Patty’s generous and loving spirit also welcomed many people into her home, where her warmth, hospitality and loving demeanor forged deep lasting relationships that embraced all to become part of a widely extended family. In that spirit, you are invited to attend a memorial service at 2 pm on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at Christ Episcopal Church at 9th St & C Ave in Coronado, followed by a reception at the church. Donations may be made in memory of Patty to Coronado MainStreet, Ltd., 1013 Park Place, Coronado, CA 92118 for the care of the Coronado Median Garden established in her honor at Second and Orange.
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