Siegfried Georg Schmidt, 86, passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at his elder daughter, Michele’s home in Virginia Beach, VA. Siegfried (Siggy) was born July 5, 1938 to Elizabet Radau Schmidt and Georg Schmidt in Neuhausen, Germany. Having fled from east Germany with his mother and older sister Ruth, he grew up in his father’s small hometown of Hammelburg in Bavaria. An energetic and curious child, Siggy loved swimming in the river Saale, collecting bugs and running errands for the American GI’s stationed outside of town.  This led to his fascination with the US. At the age of 22, Siggy made the intrepid voyage to Queens Village, New York and never looked back – that is until it was time to find a wife! Stating that American girls just “didn’t get him” he returned to Europe to visit his brother Hans and was introduced to the love of his life – the beautiful Ingrid Deflou-Caron.   Married in 1969, Siggy and Ingrid bought a little house on Long Island and raised two little girls while juggling careers working for the airlines. Siggy’s passion for collecting never left him.  In his spare time, he combed the flea markets and shoppes looking for old coins and guns, and later, European antiques. The basement became Siggy’s “museum” and home to his personal specialty and private collection of Berlin Iron. In 2022, at the invitation of their younger daughter, Gisele, Siggy and Ingrid left NY to enjoy the California sunshine in Palm Desert. Cherishing Siggy’s memory are his wife Ingrid, their daughters, Michele and Gisele, sons-in-law, Robert and Gary and grandson, William, plus a host of cousins and loving friends.  Siggy is also survived by his elder sister Ruth and younger brothers, Hans and Gunther.  At Siggy’s request, he will be cremated and there will be no memorial service.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.vacremationsociety.com.  In lieu of flowers, please visit pancan.org to make contributions to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in Siggy’s honor.