From the Napa Valley Register A potluck memorial will be held in Coach Julian Szmidt's honor on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Vintage High School Aquatic Complex. Szmidt, Vintage High School's girls water polo coach and the executive director of Napa Valley Water Polo, died Oct. 31 of a heart attack at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Santa Rosa. Szmidt was 60.
Szmidt's background in swimming and water polo dates back over the last 42 years. Under Szmidt's direction, Vintage has made CIF Sac-Joaquin Section tournament appearances since 2001.
He was also an assistant swim coach at Vintage and was a prominent, respected member of the athletic department.
"On behalf of the Szmidt family, we would like to thank everyone for all of their support in dealing with the passing of our father," the Szmidt family said. "We would like to let all of you know that although he is no longer with us, we are working very closely with his coaching staff, board members and other members in the community to be sure that all of the programs he was involved in carry on successfully. All practices through the fall and winter have been addressed and will continue as scheduled and spring/summer session information will be along in the following months. We want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to keep his programs running smoothly and successfully so please continue to keep your children involved and help us perpetuate the vision he worked so many years for."
Those who plan on attending the memorial service are asked that you bring food for 10 based on the first letter of your last name accordingly: A-G: appetizer; H-L: salad; M-S: entree; T-Z: dessert.
A Julian Szmidt Memorial Fund has been established and donations are being accepted in order to help the family as well as help create an athletic scholarship in his name. There are different ways for you to donate:
Donate at the memorial or donate by sending a check or cash to Heather Szmidt, 2521 Eagle Avenue Apt A, Alameda, CA 94501. Checks are to be made payable to: Julian Szmidt Memorial Fund or Heather Szmidt, reference account No. 2607045065. You can deposit a donation at any Wells Fargo Branch (mention Heather Szmidt's name and the account No. 2607045065). There is a Paypall account sending donations to julianszmidtmemorialfund@gmail.com
Read more: http://napavalleyregister.com/sports/high-school/memorial-to-honor-szmidt-slated-for-wednesday-evening/article_aba08b60-0909-11e1-a04f-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1d3H99acx
