Signal Charlie - John Hunter Schmitt

CAPT Dick Catone, USN (Ret.) following a memorial service for a fellow helicopter pilot, is credited with the following statement: “I guess we are all in the starboard delta waiting for Signal Charlie.” Starboard Delta is the holding pattern for the airborne Search and Rescue helicopters on the starboard (right) side of the aircraft carrier. They fly at a low altitude so as not to interfere with the fixed-wing aircraft recovery pattern, and only land when the last fixed-wing aircraft is safe on board. When tower calls the helicopter to pass “Charlie” to a landing spot, the crew knows the fixed-wing recovery is complete, all is well, and it is time to come back. Hence, the statement appears appropriate that someday we will receive our own “Signal Charlie” and will be called home for a final landing.

Signal Charlie has been created to inform our membership and honor the passing of fellow unrestricted aviators. It is only as good as the information we receive.  If you have an obituary or other information that you would like to provide concerning the passing of a shipmate, co-worker, or friend of the community, please contact the NHA National Office at signalcharlie@navalhelicopterassn.org and we will get the word out.

John Hunter Schmitt

John Hunter Schmitt of Scottsdale, Arizona passed away peacefully at the age of 79 on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at home in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born July 10, 1945 in Seattle Washington. John is survived by his wife of 11 years, Penny Schmitt, his sister Nancy Owen (Keith), his brother Alec Schmitt (Stephanie), his daughters; Carmen Schmitt (Merv Sheffet), Kirsten Schmitt (Aaron Stanton), and Jennifer Lafrenz (Grayson Lafrenz), and nephew Micah Schmitt.

His beloved grandchildren Bridgette Keigwin, (Kevin), Jessica Suarez (Lucas), Emery Schmitt, Daisy Schmitt, Ryder Lafrenz, and Archie Lafrenz will all cherish the memories of their Grampa. John was blessed and did get to meet his precious great grandchildren, Levi Keigwin, and Ozzy Suarez.

John also had step children through Penny; Justin Beazley (Joy), Heather Bantz (Andrew), Jenni Bridgers (Harry), and Christi Kirkland (Dan); stepgrandchildren Taygen Bantz, Bo Bantz, Mikey Beazley, Adrienne Beazley, Alexis Beazley, Isaiah Burt, and Maiya Kirkland and great grandchildren Neiko, Luna, and Kya, Maliyah and Anthony.

“Old pilots don’t die, they just fly higher!”

John loved flying. He began his career in the air as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He was in HS-6 during the Vietnam War before becoming a Captain of 747s for United Airlines. John became an Aviation Safety Inspector at the Federal Aviation Administration, Chief Check Pilot at U.S. Park Police, and a Flight Instructor at Simcom International before finally retiring.

For years, John has sponsored a child through Compassion International. In lieu of flowers, please consider continuing his legacy by making a donation to Compassion International. John will be greatly missed by his friends and family.

Services were at Christ’s Church of the Valley on Monday, January 22, 2024 in Scottsdale, AZ, followed by a military funeral honors ceremony at National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona.