It is not often that I take the time to write about someone who is actually alive.  I’ve become more of an expert on dead people.  Today’s main character is definitely still walking on God’s green earth and is very much alive.  His name is Delbert Schmidt, and he is a very important person to us here at the Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum.  Today is Delbert’s 90th birthday.

Delbert is the son of Martin “Max” and Lea (Bachmann) Schmidt of Altenburg.  He was born on April 5, 1928 and baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg on April 15th.  In 1941, he was also confirmed at this congregation one day after his 13th birthday on April 6th.

It is not often that I run across someone still alive in the 1930 census, but it is the case for Delbert.

On November 17, 1951, Delbert married Dolores Rauh.  Here is their marriage license.

Dolores is the daughter of another Max.  Her parents were Martin “Max” and Lorna (Lohmann) Rauh.  I think I am old enough and wise enough not to publish her birthday so someone can figure out how old she is.  These two lovebirds have been married for 66 years now, and around here we affectionately call them “D & D”.  The license plate on their car also carries that moniker, “D & D”.

Here is a gallery of photos of Delbert and Dolores serving here at our museum as volunteers.  Click on them to make the thumbnails larger.

When I think of Delbert, I think of two recreational activities that I know he has enjoyed over the years.  First of all, in his early years, it is said that he was quite the baseball player.  Here is a photo of him (and Dolores) and he is wearing the uniform of a team that is interestingly called the Panzers.

In more recent times and continuing on to this day, Delbert is known as being an excellent fisherman.  He has a knack for fooling almost any crappie into swallowing his hook when he visits the local ponds.  Here we see Delbert doing what he really loves.

Delbert may not be able to go from first  to third base on a single to the outfield anymore, but he is in amazingly good shape for a man of his age.  We here at the Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum send out a huge “Happy Birthday” to one of our favorite docents.  We hope you enjoy your day watching the Cardinals’ home opener on TV tonight.  Make sure Dolores brings you a beer.