Toni Schmid

2002 ride on B-24 Liberator from Houston to Waco (like Dad flew in WWII)

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1982 ~ 1940 ~ 2001
3 Pilots ~ Toni Schmid ~ Ed Schmid ~ Gordon Stevenson

BIO: (as of March 2011)

We moved to S.A. in 1965 when Dad retired from USAF ~ I transferred into AH Junior School mid-year. It was weird for me - my first public school - no nuns, no uniforms, and there were boys!
Since 1971: Have lived in Austin since graduating from UT Austin. Bachelor of Fine Arts, have taught Art, did Community Theatre, got married, got unmarried, then married Gordon 30 years after leaving S.A. Work included a short stint of teaching, then 28 years in Mortgage Banking & Technology Industry (sales), and some nonprofit work: Austin Chamber of Commerce, 1988 Mayoral Campaign, Keep Texas Beautiful, Inc. Volunteer stuff included: Commemorative Air Force (formerly known as Confederate Air Force), Paramount Theatre, CASA of Travis Co./Guardian ad litem, Hospice Austin (fundraising); and most recently the B-24 Liberator Tour Director for the B-29/B-24 Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force. Currently retired.
Who am I: Typical Libra - a realist, practical, happy, easy going, independent, procrastinator, responsible, fair, calm in a crisis, slow & over-analytical, cautious, a bit stoic. Assertive, but not an 'A' personality - more like B+. Am both social and reclusive. I loved working from my home.
Wish: that I'd been born 30 years earlier & been a WASP (Women Air Service Pilots); what a kick!
Regret: That I did not know my grandparents. That I never had children of my own, however, I have a fantastic stepson, Taylor
Important to me: enjoying the great outdoors & nature; good physical & mental health, security, my husband, financial independence, freedom, sense of humor, honesty, family, friends, our animals, accomplishment and trust.
Favorite little things in life: the quiet sound of the horses eating in the barn; aroma of fresh cut grass, road trips, lawn sprinklers, wood-burning fireplace, a good steak & cabernet; cricket chirps, classic films, the Ferry crossing at Port Aransas, fireflies; grilling outside and icy cold beer on a hot day.
Advise to Youth: Befriend older people, especially people over 70 - listen to their stories - they have much to give. Be kind, have empathy, keep your sense of humor, don't gossip.
Military/Govt Experience: None, but was the daughter of career Air Force Colonel, so "served my time" as 'Air Force brat' abroad and growing up in many places. A wonderful life and worth most of the sacrifices.
Awards/Recognitions: voted by my dogs, cats, the deer & various wildlife 'in the hood' as "BEST Mom". (I hope to be reincarnated as one of my pets)
Adventurous things: At the age of 55, got my first horse, an 8 year old ex-racehorse thoroughbred to love and care for; earned my Private Pilot License 1982 at Robert Mueller Airport; 1984 purchased & single-hand sailed a Catalina 25; 1980 auditioned and landed (fluke) the "Sandy Dumbrowski" role in "Grease" in an Austin community theatre, with no theatre experience; traveled Europe alone w/backpack. Built my home. Scuba dived with nurse sharks. Dating in the 80's & 90's was pretty adventurous too.
Most Proud Of: My father. My sister. My husband. My stepson. A 90-minute 1200 slide multi media presentation, spanning from 1886 to the present which I created for our family. I'm also somewhat proud of this web site.
Greatest Accomplishments: Earning my Pilot's License. Taking 1st Place in Turnback Canyon Sailing Regatta Lake Travis, 1984. Reaching 50 w/out therapy. Building my home.
How to be remembered: happy & content, loyal, kind to animals, could laugh at myself.
In spare time: When I'm not spending time with my horse George, I try to meet w/friends for dinner; trek around cemeteries with my genealogy impassioned husband; work on his genealogy website; and work on this crazy, time consuming class web site (which I enjoy!) LOL ~ TS