Robert Wendell Schwartz's Obituary
Robert (Bob) Wendell Schwartz was born in Tacoma Washington July 5, 1947. He entered into the presence of our Lord on April 7, 2022, at the age of 74, and is preceded in death by his parents Wendell Robert and Lillian Lorraine (Morisse) Schwartz. He leaves behind his wife Karen of 37 years; his brother Bill Schwartz (Joni) of Appleton, WA; his sister, Sue Steffens (Jim) of Lacey, WA; two nieces, Stacy Box (Kevin) of Helena, MT; and Wendy Steffens of Tumwater, WA; three nephews, Ben (Brianna) Schwartz of Dallesport, WA; Taylor (Audrey) Schwartz of Lyle, WA; and Jonathan Schwartz of Appleton, WA; two great-nieces Ellen and Lily Anne Box of Helena, MT; two great-nephews, Liam and Kaiden Penquite Tumwater WA;
Also, Karen’s siblings, brothers; Rod Del Re (Terri) of Tulare, CA; Tom Del Re (Cathy) of Nipomo, CA; sister Kathy Greene of Cottonwood, CA; nephew; Michael Del Re (Amber) Hebron, KY; three nieces Erin Smith (Josh) of Cottonwood; CA. Emily Brewer (Collin) of College Station, TX; Jessica Johnson, of Portland, OR; three great nephews: Elijah Zevely of Sunman, IN; Brian Del Re of Hebron, KY; Alton Smith of Cottonwood, CA; two great nieces; Allison Del Re of Hebron, KY, Joanna P. Smith of Cottonwood, CA; PNW surrogate grandkids LJ and Austin Gruba of DuPont WA; and many other relatives and friends.
Bob grew up attending the Methodist Church in University Place, WA. He graduated from Curtis High School, University Place, in 1965. He continued his education at Washington State University, receiving a BS degree in Physical Metallurgy in 1969
Shortly after graduation, Bob was commissioned an officer in the US Navy. He was an A-7E pilot, flying off the USS Coral Sea CV-43 aircraft carrier. He participated in the rescue operation of the SS Mayaguez off the coast of Cambodia. Bob also flew the UC-12 Kingaire, the UH-IN helicopter, and was a flight instructor in the T-34B jet trainer.
During his Naval service, as LCDR, Bob was stationed at: NAS Lemoore CA, Guantanamo Bay Cuba, North Island CA and Sigonella Italy. He retired from the US Navy in 1990.
While stationed at North Island, Bob and Karen married in 1985 and purchased their first home, a 43 ft. Pacemaker Tri-Cabin Motoryacht. They moored their yacht in San Diego, just an eye-shot off North Island. Bob and Karen loved living side by side on the water and experiencing the beautiful sunsets. They enjoyed taking their family and friends on board their boat, spending quality time and making great memories together.
Their next home was in Sigonella, Italy, where Bob taught Karen to scuba-dive. He was a Master Diver, and they enjoyed the Mediterranean Sea and all it offered. They even ‘stomped grapes’ together in Italy.
Bob taught Karen so much, but Karen taught Bob to snow ski…on their honeymoon! Later, they skied Mt. Etna in Italy and glaciers elsewhere in Europe…more wonderful memories.
After retiring from the Navy, Bob and Karen moved back to his hometown, University Place, and into the house he helped his dad build in 1961.
Bob and Karen joined the Gallopin’ Gertie Model A Club in March of 1991. They very quickly became involved in club activities. Bob and Karen enjoyed their many tours with the Gertie’s. Bob went to work as an auto mechanic at Dodds automotive. Bob completely restored his 1930 Model ‘A’ Ford Roadster (1991-1994). Bob also enjoyed lending a hand to others with their Model ‘A’ Fords
They both took pride in their gardening skills. Karen would have creative ideas and Bob would make them happen. Karen was the more avid gardener, planting, and propagating, but Bob occasionally had to remind her of the names of their plants, especially when she gave him that quizzical look.
Bob was a born leader, a mentor, a kind and gentle man. He was a true American patriot dedicated to his fellow countrymen, especially military veterans. He was an honorable man with the courage of his convictions.
Bob’s accomplishments went above and beyond what he expected of himself. He loved serving his community and actively taking part in its growth. He was a pilot for Critical Air Medicine Air Ambulance, Pasco WA. A past President of the ‘Gallopin’, Gertie Model A Ford Club, (January 1994 to March 1996). He and Karen received the Gertie Chapter’s Leroy Bernard Award in 1992 and our Chapter’s highest award, Honorary Lifetime Membership in 2004. Bob has served as Board Trustee (April 1992 to December 1994), and Newsletter Editor (January 1998 to May 2002). He has served as our Swap Meet Chairman (July 1992 to November 1995), our Swap Meet Registration Chairman (January to December 1996). He was club Librarian (January 1992 to January 2017). Finally, he served on the Steering Committees for Gertie’s for two National Conventions [Portland (2004) and Puyallup (2014)] and The Olympia Regional Meet (2000).
He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce; AMVETS; Uptown Crusin’ Assoc. that donated all profits to High School scholarships, helped with UP food bank events pick-up and deliveries; Friends of Homestead Park (memorial tribute signs); Past Secretary Military Officers Association of America (MOAA); Past President of the University Place Veterans Plaza (UPVP) and thankfully saw the groundbreaking of the Plaza on Aug 19, 2019, the dedication of the UPVP will be Memorial Day 2022. He joined the American Legion (AL) to help Veterans and their families and said, “it was the most rewarding experience and would do it all over again”. Adjutant of the AL Doughboy Memorial Post 138 (2003-2009), Doughboy Honor Guard (1993-2021; and Post Commander (2002-2003); he was AL 4th District Commander (2004-2006); AL Dept. Vice-Commander Area II (2008-2009); AL Dept. Commander (2009-2010); ANAVICUS (2009); AL Pat Tillman Memorial Post 53 Adjutant (2011-2022). Most recently, Bob was awarded the American Legion Department of WA Lifetime Achievement Award, 2022.
Bob served whenever and wherever needed. Bob had a passion to help others and it showed in the way he lived his life. He will be lovingly remembered by his family, dear friends and all those whose lives he touched with loving kindness. Rest in peace, Bob…your heavenly journey has begun.
Funeral services will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home, Aspen Chapel Sunday May 1, 2022, at noon, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd S.W. Lakewood WA. Military
Military Honors to be rendered Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, on May 2, 2022, at 2:30pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Legion go to mylegion.org click on donate, Veterans and Children’s Foundation (click donate now, you can dedicate in Bob’s name), or to PanCAN.org–Pancreatic Cancer, in memory of Robert W. Schwartz.
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