Carl Philip Rising Schmidt, 75, of Boothbay, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 1, 2026, following a long illness.

Carl was born March 31, 1951, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, the son of Herbert Philip Schmidt and Frances Rydell Rising. He grew up in Holyoke and graduated from Holyoke High School in 1969. He went on to study physics and engineering at Lowell Technological Institute, earning his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1974. While at Lowell Tech, Carl joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity, where he formed friendships that remained important to him throughout his life. 

In 1974, Carl married Lucy Ann Lester. The couple lived in several places throughout New Hampshire before settling in Boothbay, Maine, in 1977. There, Carl and Lucy raised their three children in a small house that often resembled a science camp. They also raised many animals over the years—some of whom found their way into the house as well.

Carl spent the majority of his career at Bath Iron Works and Gibbs & Cox. Over the years, he also worked at Sanders Associates, Joy Manufacturing, Insulation Installation Inc., Sample’s Shipyard, Twin Rivers Engineering, Hodgdon Yachts, and operated his own small engine repair business, CPS Machinery Works. He retired from Bath Iron Works in 2007.

Driven by an intense desire to understand how things worked, Carl had an extraordinarily wide range of interests. He enjoyed astronomy, boats, tinkering with old trucks, building audio speakers, building rifles and target shooting, gardening, photography, and exploring scientific, technological, and historical subjects. For many years, Carl taught hunter safety and later taught rifle and handgun safety. 

Carl was a member of the Bristol Militia, with whom he participated in the reenactment of the Penobscot Expedition in Castine. He was also a member of the Central Maine Astronomical Society, Lincoln County Rifle Club, National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, and the Boothbay Region Fish & Game Association, where he served in many roles throughout the years.

Carl was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Roger.

He is survived by his wife, Lucy Schmidt of Boothbay; daughter Rebecca Duclos and her husband, Greg, of Andover, Maine; son Eric Schmidt and his partner, Karen, of Bangor; son Philip Schmidt and his partner, Stephanie, of Scarborough; sister Marianne Wildgust and her husband, Allon, of Brandon, Vermont; four grandchildren; and several cousins. 

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Evergreen Cemetery in Boothbay. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carl’s memory to the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 280, Boothbay, ME 04537, or to a charity of one’s choice. 

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, please visit hallfuneralhomes.com