Richard Louis Schwab passed away on September 18, 2021, at his home in Annapolis, Maryland. He was 96 years old.

Mr. Schwab was born December 1, 1924 to Carl and Rose (Yunker) Schwab of St. Joseph, Missouri. A hard-working young man with a thirst for knowledge, he graduated from Central High School in 1942. He was particularly proud to have held the largest morning and evening paper route for the St. Joseph News-Press from his Sophomore through Senior years of high school.

At the age of 17, Mr. Schwab enrolled in the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy. He was selected by the United States Navy for the V-12 College Training Program in December 1942 and worked for the USO at Ft. Leonard Wood.

Called to active duty in July 1943, he was assigned as an apprentice seaman to Iowa State College from which he graduated in June 1945 with a Bachelor of Sciences in Electrical Engineering. Mr. Schwab was immediately assigned to the Navy Midshipmen School at Notre Dame University and was commissioned an Ensign in November 1945 at the age of 20. After duty on the naval transport, AP-113 Gen. H. Butner, Pacific Fleet that carried troops to Japan and China, he was deactivated from the Navy in July 1946.

Mr. Schwab joined the Westinghouse Electrical Corporation in September 1946 as a Student Engineer. During his 36-year career, he was appointed the Engineering Manager of the Sharon power plant, the General Manager of the Sharon Transformer Division, and the General Manager of the Large Power Transformer in Muncie, Indiana. He would finish his career as the Technical Director of the Transmission and Distribution of Westinghouse in Pittsburgh until his retirement in 1983.

His thirst for knowledge continued throughout his professional career, and he participated in company sponsored programs at the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, Carnegie-Melon University and Harvard Business School.

Mr. Schwab married Betty Lammers in September 1947 and were married for 37 years before Betty's untimely passing in 1985. They had two children, Richard Kent and Sue Ann.

Upon retiring to Marco Island, Florida, Mr. Schwab would serve as a consultant with the Barnett Bank of Naples, as well as a volunteer instructor and Associate State Coordinator for the AARP Mature Driving Program. He also enjoyed walking several miles on the beach every day – a habit that he would continue well into his 90s.

He would open his Florida home to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In his notes, he wrote of the privilege he felt to be able to babysit his granddaughter during several of her mother's extended business trips.

He traveled the world with family and friends on cruise liners for many years and always had a good story to tell upon his return.

Mr. Schwab is survived by his children, Richard Kent and Sue Ann, his grandchildren Alexander and Ashley, and his great-grandchildren Rex, Brooks, Sophie and Finn – who all lovingly knew him as Pop Pop, and later Big Pop Pop.

"Pay no attention to words – Accept acts only."

~ Richard L. Schwab