A long-time, well-known former state fire and rescue training coordinator and Princeton mayoral candidate passed away over the weekend.
70-year old Edward Schmidt died at his home Saturday after a short battle with cancer.
Field Office Support Specialist Kelly Bolin of the Area 2 Training Center tells the News Edge Schmidt retired from the Henderson Fire Department and started as an instructor for the Kentucky Fire Commission in 1990.
In 1999, she says Schmidt was promoted to State Fire and Rescue Training Area 2 Coordinator and stationed at the Princeton Fire Department where he provided training to all of the fire departments in the Pennyrile region.
Bolin notes, in 2001, the Area 2 Fire and Rescue Training Center was built in Princeton and he moved his office to that building. Caldwell County Emergency Management Director Joey McCaslin says Schmidt was the first Area 2 State Fire and Rescue Training Coordinator. He reportedly retired from that position in 2014.
Schmidt served 35 years of public service and served three times on Princeton City Council. City Clerk Julie Poole reports Schmidt served his first term on the city council from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2006.
His second time on the city council was from August 3, 2009 to December 31, 2016 when he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Joe Storms, who resigned due to personal reasons.
His third time on the city council was from November 16, 2015 to December 31, 2016 when he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Carroll Boyd, who passed away after a long battle with cancer.
In January 2017, Mayor Daniel F. Beavers appointed Schmidt to the Princeton Planning Commission, which he served on until September 2021.
Poole spoke fondly of Schmidt, noting that not only was he a dedicated public servant, but he was also a good friend. He was always quick to help out whenever he could, no matter the issue. She said her favorite memory of him, is the two of them going to Henderson to buy parade candy at a discount place he knew about and they came back with his vehicle loaded down with boxes and boxes of candy for a Black Patch parade. She said he wanted to make certain there was plenty of candy to make it more fun for the kids. Poole says Schmidt will be greatly missed by so many.
He also served on numerous boards and associations including the Green River Fire Association, fire and rescue training, Governor’s Health and Safety Network, American Red Cross and many others.
Funeral services for Schmidt will be at 1:00 Saturday afternoon at Morgan’s Funeral Home in Princeton. McCaslin says plans are underway for a special tribute with people reaching out from all across Kentucky about Schmidt’s death.
Schmidt is survived by his wife of almost 15 years, Nancy Salings-Schmidt, two daughters, and three step-children.
With the passing of Schmidt, four candidates will now be seeking the Princeton mayoral seat: Sean Schumacher, Brock Thomas, Rick Blackburn, and Joshua “Dunc” Duncan.
