Richard A. Schwab

Richard Allen Schwab joined his Heavenly Father on 13 December 2022. Born 28 August 1938, he was the son of Emil and Gladys Schwab of Warren, PA. He took Betty Lou Schwab to be his wife, and they celebrated a 60 year anniversary this past August, just weeks before his 84th birthday. They were blessed with three children: Craig, husband to Sandra; Clint, husband to Marsha; and Chad, husband to Diane. Rich was the very proud grandfather of 13 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, all who brought him tremendous joy! Born and raised around the woods of Warren, and under the care of hard-working and very skilled parents, from a very early age Rich developed a love for God’s natural creations, and a passion for working with his hands to creatively solve problems or create new things. So began the legacy of a man who essentially knew a lot about a lot of things, and what he didn’t know he would teach himself. In his early years Rich hunted and fished with passion, which continued for the better part of his life. Being an outdoorsman was something he thoroughly enjoyed, and he took great pride in sharing with others and passing on his knowledge of/skills in the outdoors. He also rode motorcycle, first for enjoyment, and later competitively, where he proved to be quite good on the trials circuit riding his Indian (evidenced by the trophies he humbly stowed away in boxes in the cellar). He brought this passion with him when he relocated to the Dornsife area, where it became the means for forging new friendships and creating lasting memories as part of the Line Mountain Competition Riders. He attended Williamsport Area Community College where he first learned machinist skills that served him well in securing employment with AMP Incorporated. There he further developed and refined his skills and established himself as a true craftsman. Rich quickly earned notoriety for being a very creative and skilled ‘go-to’ technician capable of figuring out ways to do things that no one else could. He worked there for more than 30 years, retiring in the early 2000’s. Rich’s passion for woodworking probably reached its peak around that time, but it was evident throughout his life. He joyfully spent hours creating works of art for family and friends. From furniture like bunk beds and cribs for his grandchildren, to shelves, signs, Christmas ornaments, and unique candy-dispensing machines, Rich made things out of wood that were each symbolically representative of who he was as a man, and child of God – beginning as raw, unfinished material that can be transformed into something beautiful over time with a little time, effort, and love. Rich was also a Christian by example and action. A member of St Peter’s Lutheran Church, he ensured he established and nurtured a God-loving family in his formative years when physically able, through active and routine participation in the church’s activities, to include the choir and Bible studies. He loved to discuss God’s word. Rich also LOVED food. He enjoyed nearly all food, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t try. He also was pretty well known for his sweet tooth – forever making Betty’s Christmas cookie stockpile dwindle nearly as fast as she could make them, and never passing up homemade cakes, cookies, or pies. I don’t know that you could say he had a favorite dessert, because he ate it all the same – quickly and often…..always with a big smile on his face. His impact on this world is far-reaching, as he was loved by many and will be missed dearly by all. To honor his life and memory there will be a viewing and service held at James A. Reed Funeral Home, 137 Market St, Pillow, PA 17080 on Saturday, December 17, 2022: Viewing 10-11 AM – Service 11 AM. All are welcome to pay their respects and share memories. A short graveside ceremony will be at the site of internment at St Peter’s Lutheran Church cemetery, 235 Schwaben Creek Rd, Dornsife, PA 17823.

Richard A. Schwab

August 28, 1938 - December 13, 2022