Maxine Crookston Schmidt

Maxine Crookston Schmidt was born on her mother's birthday September 4th 1915, Salt Lake City Utah, in the 7th ward. She dearly loved her parents, Winnie and Gilbert John Crookston.  Maxine joined her family on January 19, 2016 at Camarillo, California. After graduating from West High School in Salt Lake City she earned a degree and graduated with honors from the University of Utah majoring in English and Latin. She belonged to Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and the Mortar Board Society.

At the University of Utah she held the Women's Single Tennis Champion title during her freshman year. During her senior year she was Vice President of her class, Treasurer of the Associated Women Students and an Honorary Colonel of the University ROTC. She belonged to the Delta Delta Delta Sorority.

Following her graduation in 1936, she received a scholarship to attend Stanford University where she received a Masters of Arts Degree. Then after completing her academic studies, she returned to Salt Lake City and taught English and Latin in High school for the next five years.

Her life's ambition was to be a pilot. While teaching full time, Maxine pursued this goal and took flying lessons. She received a private pilot's license before World War II started. She continued with her training and acquired her commercial pilot's license with instructor's and instrument ratings.  She became a 1st LT in the Civil Air Patrol and taught link flight simulator training to Army pilots. She was a member of the Society of Airway Pioneers.

Through her flying she was interested in air traffic control and became one of the first women in the country to apply for a position with the Civil Aeronautics Administration.  While completing her final year of teaching in Salt Lake City, Maxine was offered a position as an Air Traffic Controller.

She worked one year at the Salt Lake City Control Center and three years in the Salt Lake City Control Tower and was the first woman controller in each facility. She transferred to the San Francisco Control Tower and again achieved recognition for her capabilities and professionalism.

She became the first woman Watch Supervisor not only in the San Francisco Air traffic Control Tower, but in the country. She was interviewed on both radio and television because of her role as groundbreaker for women in aviation.

Maxine married Gene Schmidt at the Stanford University Chapel in 1958. Her husband was also a pilot and air traffic controller. He was Chief Controller of the Oxnard Control Tower in Oxnard California from 1971-1982.

Maxine devoted her retirement to taking care of her mother, Winnie who lived to the age of 104.  She loved the many friends she met in Ventura and Camarillo during the last 45 years.

Maxine is survived by her nieces, Pamela Crookston and Laurel Crookston Brown and grandniece Ashlee Johnson, and grandnephews Trey Crookston, Martin and Kevin Beck and their families. Salt Lake City relatives include Clark, Roger and Brian Dudley, and their sister, Joan Oldroyd.

Maxine had extended family and friends who admired and cared for her, with a special thanks to them; Peter and David Schmidt and their families, Lynda Ledin, Glenn Fitzgerald and family, Diane and Bruce Barton, Bob and Cathy Baltierra, Jeanette DaSilva, and the entire staff at "Mali's Place" in Camarillo.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 11:00am at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, Salt Lake City. Interment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Guestbook to post messages and tributes for the family available at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com