This Deceased Army Profile is not currently maintained by any Member.
If you would like to take responsibility for researching and maintaining this Deceased profile please click
HERE
Contact Info
Home Town Detroit, Michigan
Last Address Saint Clair, Michigan Buried at Saint Marys Cemetery, Saint Clair, Michigan
Richard Charles (Dick) Schwartz, Sr., age 87 of St. Clair, MI, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 3, 2004, in St. John River District Hospital. Dick was born in Detroit on November 28, 1916, to the late Richard Schwarz and Anna Weid. He was a proud veteran of WWII serving as Sergeant in the Army in the Pacific Theater, Aleutian Islands. His first wife, Lillian Day, died on March 16, 1940. He married Geraldine Rose (Jerry) Westrick on April 12, 1941, in St. Clair, MI. Dick worked for Chrysler Corporation until an illness forced his early retirement. He later worked as a custodian for East China School District, and despite suffering a terrible job related accident in 1968 which broke both of his legs and left him disabled, he continued working until his retirement in 1982. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church; the K of C; American Legion; and the St Clair Children's Recreation Committee. He will always be remembered for making the "best ever" potatoes on a charcoal grill, and the best tasting chicken noodle soup with 'slip-me-down noodles' that rivaled any restaurant. His woodworking abilities have left lasting memories for his family in the forms of birdhouses, doll cradles, and a baby cradle to be passed on from generation to generation. Dick and his wife, Jerry, could glide across the dance floor like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It was magical to watch them and, even with two crippled legs, Dick never passed up the opportunity to prove that he still had "it" when Glenn Miller's "In The Mood" could be heard somewhere in the background. He loved watching old westerns, couldn't wait to see reruns of "Walker, Texas Ranger" (over and over and over again), lived for "The Price Is Right" and "Wheel of Fortune", and considered Vanna White one of the most beautiful girls in the world. He also enjoyed an occasional round of golf, and really got a kick out of going to the casino, where he'd always spring for lunch when his casino companions lost all their money. (Usually me, thanks Dad!)
Dick is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Geraldine [she passed on June 1, 2008]; his children, Thomas (Judy) Schwarz; James (Phyllis) Day; Richard C, Jr. (Susan) Schwartz; Julie (Joseph) Elsholz; Catherine (Larry) Lukovich; Kelly (Gerald) Silvas. Also survived by many grand, great grand, and great-great grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William Schwarz and Henry Smith, and sister, Anna Genaw.
