Robert E. Schmidt, Former Eagle Communications Chairman, Passes At 90

Robert E. 'Bob' Schmidt

ROBERT E. "BOB" SCHMIDT, former Chairman Of The Board of EAGLE COMMUNICATIONS, passed away early this MORNING (8/8) at his home in HAY, KS. 

SCHMIDT was raised in LA CROSSE, WI, and served in the NAVY in the PHILILPPINES in WORLD WAR II.  He began his radio career at FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY as a sportscaster, then was appointed GM of KAYS RADIO, then VP and Director of the HAYS, KS-based KAYS INC, which later became EAGLE COMMUNICATIONS. 

In 1989, he purchased control of the corporation and was elected President/CEO, proceeding to acquire 24 radio and television stations and a dozen cable systems in KANSAS, NEBRASKA, MISSOURI and COLORADO. EAGLE currently owns and operates 28 radio stations and serves 60 communities with broadband service including internet, video and voice service.

SCHMIDT retired as President/CEO of EAGLE COMMUNICATIONS in 1998 and sold the majority interest in the company to its employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Nearly 300 Eagle Employee Owners continue to build the company and share in the value of ownership.

SCHMIDT was named a member of the KANSAS ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS HALL OF FAME in 2000.

His wife PATRICIA A. “PAT” SCHMIDT passed away in AUGUST 2015.

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by the HAYS MEMORIAL CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME. 

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