Dieter F. Schmidt

Dieter F. Schmidt, age 76, of Montville passed away peacefully on Monday, May 31, 2021 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Dieter was born in Hammerstein, Germany in 1945 and was one of three children to Horst and Elisabeth Schmidt.  Just before Dieter’s twelfth birthday, he and his family immigrated to the United Stated in search of a better life and the “American Dream.”

Upon arriving in the United States, Dieter and his family settled in Clifton.  The family then moved to Passaic where he attended school.

Dieter owned and operated M&W Truck Repair in Clifton.  In 1981 Dieter bought a Matco Tool route which he operated until 1984.  Dieter opened his own auto body repair facility in Middlesex, NJ, named Lincoln Auto Body.  Dieter owned this business for thirty two years.

While at his body shop in Middlesex, he became interested in dirt track racing and went on to build and own various race cars throughout the years.  His Dirt Track Racing career spanned over a period of thirty years.  Dieter was introduced to his wife Mildred Marella.  Dieter and Mildred were married on June 14, 1975.  

Dieter was a delightfully personable man whom everyone liked being around.  He was extremely hard working, fanatical about details, and meticulously neat and organized. He has been described by many of his family and friends as the epitome of a perfectionist.  Dieter was a truly special man who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him.      

Dieter is survived by his wife Mildred Schmidt of Montville, two daughters; Denise Schmidt of Clifton and her daughter Emily Sara Rose Glickman, and Debbie Diamond-Schmidt of Hawthorne, his mother Elisabeth Schmidt of Lake Hiawatha, two sisters; Doris Rose and her husband Robert of Montville, and Ingrid St Jean and her husband Gary of Montville, , three nephews; Anthony Marella, Joseph Marella, and Keith St Jean, three nieces; Sharon Evans, Heather Bott, Jackie Jacobson, as well as two great nieces and three great nephews.    

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dieter’s name may be made to American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.