Thorsten Schmidt, 72, of Cedar Falls, died Wednesday, March 12, 2003 at the Covenant Medical Center of renal failure.

He was born October 16, 1930, in Copenhagen, Denmark, son of Ulf and Ellen Vildenfelt Schmidt. He was a jet fighter pilot for the Royal Danish Air Force from 1950-1957 achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

He married Anna Lisa Nielsen on July 10, 1954 at the Calvary Baptist Church, in Cedar Falls. He worked at the Waterloo Industries as a Design and Quality Engineer for 38 years, retiring in 1996. Thorsten was a member of the Walnut Ridge Baptist Church, Past Chairman and he served on the Board of Deacons. He was one of the first Visionaries and Board Secretary of the founding of Walnut Ridge Baptist Academy.

He is survived by his wife: A. Lisa Schmidt of Cedar Falls; daughter: Hanna and husband Gary Nesbit of Eagan, MN; son: Philip Schmidt and wife Jennifer of Rochelle Park, NJ; seven grandchildren: Keyrsten, Maycie, Kirk, Aric, Betsy, Tasha, and Becka; brother: Gorm Schmidt and wife Hella of Svebolle, Denmark.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter: Birgit Schmidt; brother: Louis Schmidt; and sister: Vivian Fisher.