Tom went into the US Navy after high school and served as a cook. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Tom attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. Tom married Kathi Schroeder on June 24, 1972 in New York, and they were married for almost 52 years. Tom and Kathi moved to New Haven, Connecticut where he attended the University of New Haven. After a short term employment at Johnson & Wales as an instructor of culinary arts, the Schmitters moved to Hyde Park, New York where they resided and raised their family. Tom was a respected instructor in the culinary arts at his Alma Mater, the Culinary Institute of America. While living in Hyde Park, he was also on the volunteer rescue squad for the Roosevelt Fire Department. Between teaching at the CIA and volunteering at the fire department, Tom was happy teaching and helping others.
He also was affectionately known as the “Pyromaniac” at the Culinary Institute because of his extravagant use of flames at table side demonstrations for the guests of the restaurants. Tom jumped on any opportunity to cook, including a big fan of barbecuing with his family. After 2000, Tom and Kathi moved to Tucson, Arizona for a couple years, then moved back east to Rhode Island to be closer to family, and ultimately moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 2016, again to be close to family.
Tom is survived by his sister Barbara (Frank) Barbire; wife, Kathi Schmitter; daughter Amy (Daniel) Stockfield and son David (Kate) Schmitter; grandchildren Tyler Stockfield, Cyan Stockfield, Kyle Schmitter, Colin Schmitter; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service: Thursday: Military Burial (private) Friday: Memorial Service at 2 pm at First Lutheran Church, 1551 S 70th Street, Lincoln, NE 68506.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Ocean Conservancy to honor his love for sea turtles.