Brian Schmidt

Brian “Scooby” Schmidt, 62, of Truman passed away peacefully Sunday, Aug. 6, after a brief battle with cancer. Brian was born April 28, 1961, in Slayton. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 19, 1:30 p.m., at Christian Church of Fairmont. Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 18, from 4–7 p.m., at Zaharia Funeral Home in Truman and continue one hour before the service at the church. Online condolences can be left at www.zahariafamilyfuneral.com.

At a very young age Brian enjoyed fishing with his dad, Reuben, and had fond memories of going out to the gravel pit to ride on his dad’s “dozer.” When Brian was 10, his dad passed away, leaving his sister Deb to help take care of him. In his early teens, Brian learned to play the drums. He played for the band Crystal Blue and later changed the name to Legend. Fitting.

Brian spent a short time in Wrenshall before moving back to the Slayton area where he graduated from high school and then worked at Larry’s Body Shop in Avoca. In 1979, he graduated as the senior vice president.

Brian went on to Pipestone Area Vo-Tech where he graduated at the top of his class in 1981 for auto parts and sales merchandising. He also worked for the Master Tank Company painting water towers across the Midwest. One in particular in Nevis where, in primer, painted “Please don’t leave us in Nevis”! Always the jokester, Brian loved to make people laugh!

In the late ’80s Brian played in the bands Tarot and Constable Jones, where he toured across the country. In February of 1991, Brian started working for the Schwan’s Food Company in Marshall as a route sales driver. He quickly became promoted to area manager and relocated to Truman. He was a very dedicated employee for over 32 years and earned many awards for his hard work in sales, profit and safety, among other things.

In 2004 Brian started the band Sinister with the attitude, “If it’s too loud, you’re too old”! He wanted to wow the crowd not only with the amazing sound, but with the extravagant light and pyro show as well. It was his passion. His bandmates: his family.

Brian was united in marriage on June 6, 2009, to Rebecca (Deuel) after a long courtship. Though Brian didn’t have any children of his own, he was like a father to Rebecca’s son, Ryan, and was a very proud “Papa” to Ryan’s daughters, Liera and Rylin.

Brian will be greatly missed and to many, will always be a legend!