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JOHN ROBERT “BOB” SCHWEITZER, 84, of Sidney passed away unexpectedly Thursday, September 22, 2022 at his residence. He was born on February 10, 1938 in Botkins, Ohio, the son of the late Richard and Edna (Steinke) Schweitzer.
He is survived by his four children, Tom (Chong) Schweitzer of Huber Heights, Jim (Steven) Schweitzer of Huntington Beach, CA, Joe (Kelli) Schweitzer of Westerville, and Cathy (Ben) Kroll of Albuquerque, NM; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his former wife, Mary Ellen Pope, his sister, Rose, and numerous nephews and nieces. Bob was preceded in death by his brothers, Larry and Dean and fiancé, Jane Sherry.
Graduated from Holy Angels High School in 1956 where he was the senior class president, a basketball player and a beloved trickster. He reflected on his younger years with great joy and revelry. Coloring each story with recollections that made us laugh, yearn to drive fast, and to follow in his footsteps to embrace having fun. Going to HAHS class reunions and seeing his surviving friend Bobby at Kroger’s were consistent sources of material for stories of his younger years. He would recall his mom, Edna’s, response to their shenanigans with a head shake and a snicker.
Dad served people of the community as an Insurance agent for State Farm for over 45 years. He watched generations of families grow and navigate the hardships and celebrate successes. Being an agent brought him into their living rooms or to their funerals. He was grateful to know so many of his policyholders stories. Back in the day agents were awarded with vacation travel as bonuses for achievement. He enjoyed many trips in the United States and abroad with his fellow agents and their spouses. But his most cherished trip during the younger years was when he travelled to Korea to meet his first grandchild.
Stories of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren filled every conversation. He was especially adept at getting on his hands and knees and serving as a horse, or sitting in the toy box. He taught generations to cast a fishing pole, to light their first bottle rockets and shoot a BB gun. He was an unusual man for his time being a father who changed and washed diapers. And he found the knack for making hot dog roll ups, or pizza from a box while his wife at the time was working at the hospital.
For the duration of his life, until he lost his vision, he would take off to fish the local lakes hauling his outboard motor to Lake Erie for years on end. Fishing with his family was his gift to us all. A Florida road trip with his brother and nephews to Lake Okeechobee, and tales of someone’s snoring was another milestone for his family. As he aged, he passed on his fishing poles, tools, pocketknives and the like to his nephews and grandchildren telling the story of the gift, the meaning behind the object.
Dad was a “jack of all trades” learning plumbing, electricity and carpentry from his father Dick, who was one of the original DP&L electric pole climbers. He coached his son’s and son in law in the fine arts of home repair to follow suit beautifully. He took pride in his home and had time and energy to give and so began his years long commitment to mowing his neighbor’s lawn. At a minimum Dad was generous with his time, talent and treasure.
Jane Sherry, his fiancee, and as he said “the best friend a person could have” opened a whole new world to Dad. Two weeks in the office in Ohio with Amanda managing, two weeks in Naples or Bonita Springs with Jane. He loved his life. We will be forever grateful that Dad found Jane. Jane had Dad using golf clubs, a tennis racket and traveling. Whether to Big Sky country or to Europe they laughed a lot and the stories of their courtship filled the second half of his life.
Amanda, his assistant, was like a daughter and another person to whom we will be forever grateful. Working together at the office for over 22 years, she was a blessing from day one. Her plates of cookies continued to cross the threshold as recent as the last weeks of his life. He was proud of the work she does at the local shelter.
As a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church, he served as an usher, and a home visitor to shut ins. The parish picnic was another cherished tradition. Frying chicken, and selling raffle tickets for years gave him joy and satisfaction.
To the many friends, family members and former colleagues who shaped the man that Dad became, we thank you for your part. As Dad said when he retired in 2016, “Things you can do for people to make them feel good, boy, do it.” He will be missed and we are grateful to have called him Dad.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday October 8, 2022 at 10 AM at Cromes-Edwards Funeral Home 302 S. Main St Sidney with number 3 son Joe Schweitzer officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Sidney, Ohio. Friends may visit Friday, October 7, 2022 from 4 PM until 7 PM or Saturday 9:30 AM up until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Angels Catholic School in Bob’s memory. Condolences may be expressed to the Schweitzer family at our website, www.cromesfh.com
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