David L. Schmitt

David L. Schmitt, age 73, of Rutland Town, Vermont, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Tuesday, May 28 in Rutland Town. He was born June 24 in Pittsburgh, son of the late Honorable Pennsylvania State Representative C.L. Schmitt and the late Sally Lou Schmitt.

David is survived by his beloved wife of 23 years, Robyn (Ehrstein) Schmitt and his children Ethan Schmitt of Rutland Town, Vermont, Jason Stokes-Schmitt and his wife Laura of South Portland, Maine, and Roni Boyles of Lynn, Mass.; parents-in-law Norman Ehrstein and his wife Geraldine, sister-in-law Senya Ehrstein, brother-in-law Eric Ehrstein and his wife Angela, sister Susan Reed and her husband Chuck Gombos; and nieces and nephews David Martini, Jennifer Schmitt, Laura Michaels, Chuck Schmitt, Anne Dahlem, Summar Murrer, Christopher Ehrstein, and Zachary Ehrstein. Predeceased by his sister Patricia Martini, brother James Schmitt; and mother-in-law Lina V. Ehrstein.

David was a graduate of Pennsylvania State University having served as president of the distinguished Lion’s Paw Senior Society. He received his juris doctor (cum laude) at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, which was the start of a storied and celebrated legal career. In his first position, he served as a trusted legal advisor to United States Steel Corporation in Pittsburgh. He later held senior vice president and general counsel roles with Wheelabrator Technologies Inc., and Bradlees Corporation. He retired after serving as the senior vice president and general counsel for Casella Waste Systems for 15 years.

While he was devoted to his wife Robyn and his family, a challenging golf course with a light breeze held a stalwart place in his heart. Golf tournaments shared with his sons and friends were among his life’s passions, as were plotting football and basketball fantasy dream teams. David had a reputation for knowing the statistics of every player in the NFL for the previous 30 years, and his friends, who lovingly referred to him as Schmitty, resoundingly knew he would always win.

Music and movies were also his great loves. Every ride in a car would result in a catalogue of mentally downloaded hits complete with dashboard drums and steering wheel air guitar. His Top 100 list of movies would engage his family in deep debate and unite them with roars of laughter.

As a young man, David proudly campaigned for his father, who successfully served eight terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives during the 1960’s and 70’s. It was during those formative years that David developed the character and charisma that would carry him throughout his lifetime. Those assets, along with a captivating sense of humor and his intense loyalty to those he loved, attracted a phalanx of resolute and beloved lifelong friends and followers who remain steadfast to this day.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 6 at McDonald-Keohane Funeral Home in South Weymouth, Mass. The funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 7 at the same location. Burial will follow at Blue Hills Cemetery in Braintree, Mass.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to: MGH Kranz Family Center for Cancer Research at: www.giving.massgeneral.org/donate/krantz/