Robert Schmidt

Robert “Bob Sunoco” Schmidt

July 5, 1944 – October 30, 2025

Robert Schmidt, spouse of Elizabeth “Betty” Schmidt and affectionately known as “Bob Sunoco” went home to the lord on Thursday October 30, 2025. Born in McKees Rocks, PA on July 5, 1944, Bob was the son of the late Julius and Mary (Sivy) Schmidt.

Bob was a proud graduate of Uniontown High School, Class of 1962. After graduation, he worked at Lockheed Corporation and the Clairton Steel Mill before answering a call that would shape his life and community. In 1970, Bob opened Bob’s Sunoco on Route 40 in Uniontown- a legendary local station where countless friendships were formed, stories were told (many more than ten dozen times), and everyone received a laugh, a helping hand, and a greeting from one of his loyal German Shepherds.

He operated the station until 2007 and later continued to serve the community through BnB Auto Sales & Towing, alongside his wife Betty, retiring in 2021.

Bob proudly served in the United States Army, including combat in Vietnam. As a final act of service, Bob donated organs through the VA Pittsburgh Health Care System and the Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) to help other veterans in need.

He was a member of the VFW, American Legion Post 51, Elks, and numerous social clubs. Later in life, Bob found the meaning supporting fellow veterans through Vietnam Veteran support groups. He was also a parishioner for St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church in Uniontown.

Bob’s love for his family and community was matched only by his love for animals- especially the German shepherds who protected both his business and his heart: Duchess, Kizzy, Choco, Angel, Prince, and Jr. In Later years, he traded shepherds for “lap dogs”, proudly chauffeuring Boomer I, Boomer II, and his grand-dog Gretchen around town in a tow truck. His love of all things related to cars also extended to NHRA racing and formerly owning Fairmont Raceway in Fairmont, WV.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents; brother Julius “James” Schmidt; sister Catherine “Kitty” Popovich; brother-in-law Frank Popovich; step-mother Betty Coldren Schmidt; his first wife and mother of his daughters Patty (McManus) Grimm; former in-laws Tom and Phyllis McManus, whom he loved as his own parents; and dear friend Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. John J. Arminas.

Left to honor his legacy and carry forward his stories and “short cuts” (which were anything but short) are his wife of 38 years, Betty (Rocco) Schmidt; daughters Tricia (Larry) Sabatula and Trinette (Adam) Cunningham; beloved grandchildren Josh Sabatula, Jenna (Matt) Whyel, Jillian Sabatula, Jakob Sabatula, Jackson Sabatula, and Maggie Rose Cunningham; and great-grandson and best little buddy Finley Reese Whyel.

He is also survived by sister-in-law Alice Schmidt; brother-in-law Chuck (Joanne) Rocco; cousins Kenny (Debbie) Kushner; nieces Lisa (Bill) Dixon, Lora (Billy) Spear, and Janelle Rocco; special niece Sonya (Tom) Confone; nephews Jimmy Schmidt, John Rocco, Ron (Julie) Rocco, and Chuck Rocco; many great nieces and nephews- especially his godsons Dylan and Jordan; and countless friends who became family.

Friends will be received in the DONALD R. CRAWFORD FUNERAL HOME, HOPWOOD, PA on Tuesday November 4th from 1-8pm. Additional visitation will be held on Wednesday November 5th from 9am until prayers of transfer at 9:30am followed by a mass of Christian burial in St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church at 10am. Interment will follow in Mount Saint Macrina Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Fayette Friends of Animals, Keeping the Faith Animal Shelter or the Wounded Warrior Project.

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