Richard "Rick" C. Schwab Jr., 65 of Sparta, Missouri, passed Monday, April 10th, 2023, at Cox South in Springfield, Missouri from complications of recently discovered pancreatic cancer.
Rick was born on August 18th, 1957, in Erie, PA, son of the late Richard C. Schwab Sr. and Mary M. Barr-Schwab.
He was a graduate of Columbus High School, Columbus, OH, Class of 1976 and began serving his country in the United States Army in 1977. While stationed in Honolulu, HI, he studied Sociology at Chaminade University. His final station was at Ft. Hood in Killeen, Texas, where he met his wife of 26 years, Laura Susan Nicholas-Schwab, with whom he raised his two daughters, Mary Margaret Schwab, and Katelyn Hannah Schwab-Garren.
Rick was a devoted father to his children and family, and valued spending time with his loved ones. He enjoyed acting and directing at the Stone's Throw Dinner Theatre, serving his Church, working outdoors, tending to his farm and animals, running long-distances, weightlifting, and attending his grandson's games and concerts. Rick worked in the home improvement and design industry for over 30 years. Once he got to know you, generally you were blessed with a Rick-given nickname and would forever be his audience for his favorite catch phrases and movie quotes.
Surviving family include the mother of his children, Laura S. Schwab; two daughters, Mary Schwab of Carthage, Mo., and Katelyn (Shea) Garren of Topeka, Kan.; four brothers, Raymond, Robert (Maria), Martin and Ted Schwab (Tina); four sisters, Dee (Dan) King, Tina (Rich) Boniconti, Audrey Kempisty and Lisa Zaborowski; five grandchildren, Jackson Brown and Mira, Aliya, Trenton and Taylon Garren; and many nieces and nephews.
Rick was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Margaret Barr-Schwab; his father, Richard C. Schwab Sr.; two stepmothers, Penny Schwab and Dorothy Schwab; two brothers, Edward and Thaddeus Schwab; two sisters, Loretta Schwab and Dian Combs; and his mother and father in-law, Earl and Marilyn Nicholas.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate the life of Richard C. Schwab Jr. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Carthage, Mo., on May 6th, 2023, at 12:00 p.m.
