I don't have a specific memory that I wanted to put into words, but I am thinking of Grandpa today. I drive past your old house in Larkspur fairly frequently, but I haven't really *looked* at it in awhile, and I did last week. I started my first official degree-related job this year, post-graduation. Dad (Steve) and Grandpa both had a meaningful influence on the computer science/STEM degree I pursued, and I'd like to hope Grandpa is proud of me. I can't wait to tell him about everything someday. I miss you extra today and I'm grateful for the time I did have with you.

One of my most memorable moments with my grandfather was back when I was about 10 years old. It was probably one of my first paying gigs as a young lad, but it proved to be a very memorable day (and the reason that I am scared out of my mind by bees and wasps). Grandpa had asked me to help him build a fence for Valley House. I was excited to help him build the fence because it was the first time that I had ever gotten to make and lay concrete, and I was learning a lot (he showed me how to use the hole post digger, and I was pretty stoked on getting to use it). It was getting late in the day on the second day, and we were just about to finish on of the last posts, when grandpa asked me to grab him another post. Well it just so happens that these posts had been piled up on the ground for quite awhile this summer while waiting for us to build the fence. It was one of the last ones on the ground, and I picked it up and dropped the post into the hole in the ground that we had just finished. I was suddenly feeling these sharp painful stings, one after another, every couple of seconds at various points around my body. There had been large wasps nest/hive in one of the cross post holes in the thick post, so I must have really pissed them off when I moved there home about. I freaked out and went sprinting into the field, waving my arms about frantically. Grandpa ended up getting me some ice to cool down the burn. Every time that I even hear the buzz of a bee or wasp I am reminded of him. He was one of the reasons that I have the work ethic that I have today. He was a great husband and grandfather, and he will be missed greatly.

Theodore Charles Schwarz will always be known as Grandpa to me. Growing up near my grandparents was such an blessing. So many memories were made with Grandpa when my grandparents lived at what now is my uncle's house on Fox Farm Road. Memories of us kids playing in the sandbox out back, sitting in the sun room while grandpa read us books, water coloring pictures on their long dining room table, and of course we can't forget waffels with ice cream! My Grandpa's home was home to me growing up!

When my grandparents moved to Elm Street in Castle Rock, I remember how much work grandpa put into that yard. He set up sprinkler systems, planted numerous trees, installed an invisible fence for Sunshine, and countless other things. He loved making his home a special place for everyone who came to visit. I loved walking over to that house because it was only a 15 minute walk. I would come over and do odd chores for money or just come over to hang out. I always felt at peace around gramps. One memory in particular I have it that I remember him constantly reading the newspaper comics. I can honestly say that I believe HE was the reason that my siblings and I read the newspaper comics EVERYDAY growing up! We looked up to him and he was always a fountain of knowledge and inspiration. People who know him would say he had such a loving and patient heart. 

Memories flood my brain when I think back to the times we spent together. I got the opportunity to travel to Hawaii with him and my grandmother to experience a trip of a life time. I remember while there he became pretty adventurous and wanted to see a scary movie with me at a local theater in Hawaii.  Whenever this memory is brought up my grandma reminds me how scared she was in that movie while grandpa just laughed and laughed.  To this day I don't know what he thought about the movie...he may have slept through the whole thing that little stinker! Ha! 

He was such a supportive and loving grandfather who would attend all my gymnastics meets even if they lasted ALL DAY! He even supported me learning to drive which brings me to a funny memory. One day while I was driving my mom and grandparents home, I remember my grandpa telling me how to drive. When we arrived at the destination grandpa announces to me that he wants to show me the "correct" way to drive.  He drives away with me chuckling because at time no teenager wants to drive like their grandparents. We whip around a corner and the car begins make weird noises which Grandpa seemed to ignore. On our little adventure he managed to turn too sharply into a ditch because the truck slipped on rocks and that weird noise was coming from the parking break he forgot to release! We had our laughs when we got back to the house and I definitely will never forget the day gramps taught me how to drive! To this day I always remember gramps every time I drive away with the emergency break on! 

I cannot begin to tell you all the wonderful memories I shared with grandpa. He was definitely a father figure in my life and I constantly think of him whenever we have family get togethers, especially when I make my apple pie he loved. He will always be remembered and greatly missed. Grandpa thank you for being an amazing man in my life. I look forward to the day where we meet again in a place where , "He will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4

I love you Grandpa.

I have the  great blessing of being Ted's son in law. What a gentle soul  he was, Always a great listener and a kind heart. Never had I ever felt judged. I have many great memories. Lots of ribbing about John Elway and the Broncos. Many in depth long conversations about politics. Good, fun, friendly warnings of marrying into the family.
   First visit to Jeanne and Ted's house while I was dating their daughter, was during Thanksgiving weekend. Had been dating Renee for about ten weeks and was invited over for Thanksgiving dinner, Wednesday night day before. He ask me to come out to the barn and prepare the turkey for Thanksgiving. First he had me change into one of those  warm jump suits (coveralls?). Very cold night.Then we entered the barn. A quiet guy in a dark barn (future father in law.),
Yes, I was a little nervous. Then he brings out the glove , knives. and buckets.
Entering the barn with a hanging shop light and a  25 lb DECAPITATED TURKEY hanging from a rope. Run now, or show my manhood. Over the next hour we plucked the turkey clean of feathers and gutted the parts preparation.
   Remember I am a city boy. Needless to say all went well, and I am here to tell the story.  Thanksgiving was great. Ted is great. I will miss him.

Grandpa was a quiet, yet strong minded individual.  Always showed compassion and love, but was still the strong willed, hard working man that every little boy wants to become.  The fondest memory was when he was beginning to teach me the beginnings of carpentry.  We were going to build a tree house, but grandpa, with his love for nature and passion for trees, did not want to build a tree house that would affect the life of a tree.  His idea was to build a stand around a tree so that we would be able to live amongst the birds, but still not damage nature.  

So, the drawing began.  A young boy and his grandpa drawing up ideas for what they wanted the tree house to look like.  Ideas of how to build, how to get up to the top, and how high.  I obviously wanted to make it 30 feet in the air.  Grandpa, because he cared about our safety said max, 8 feet.  How boring is that! But he cared so much about us he could never allow himself to be the one that got us hurt. Even though the tree house never got past the ladder and the drawing board, it still rings in my ear when I was allowed to drive the tan truck.  First time driving, I was going to be the best at it because obviously I did not have a license, but it was the time a little boy felt slightly like a man.  

Grandpa will always be remembered as the strong-willed, caring, compassionate, and hard-working individual that would not let a single evil touch his family.  He would allow anything to happen to him, just as long as it wasn't occurring to his family.

Grandpa Schwarz,
I always knew him as a faithful, loving, and caring grandpa who will always be remembered as one of my greatest fans. Whether it was with football, lacrosse, or life, I will always remember him in the stands and after the games being among the first to greet me. I hope he knows how much it truly meant to me to be so supportive of me and everything I did. Thank you grandpa and I love you, and I am very proud to share a name with you. Theodore.

It's amazing how loving and dedicated my dad was.  I was the youngest of four and really was the recipient of my dad's generosity and kindness.  One of my most favorite memories was when my dad waited for me after a high school football game in which I was part of the color guard in the band.  He just was looking for me and gave me a big ol' hug and was just happy to see me.  It made me feel so loved and cared for. 

As I was married and started having kids, Dad was loving and caring.  I was able to see him interact with the kids as they grew.  From being a dedicated babysitter for us to one the kids' biggest fans, he was so supportive and loved his grandkids!! It takes deep love to sit outside at a football game in 10 degree weather or a gymnastics meet that took all day!

He was a terrific dad and a loving, dedicated grandfather and will be truly missed!

Memories of our 52 years together 



Presented lovingly, by Jeanne, for


Ted, at his Mass of Christian Burial, St Francis of Assisi, in Castle Rock:



Ted was a Colorado ‘native son'.  He grew up and worked in the fields of Penrose, CO.  His faith journey began there and during high school at Holy Cross Abbey in Canon City.  He and many of his Abbey friends, went on to the University of Colorado.  They always stayed in touch. 



I met this quiet, good, faith-filled man, in the dorm kitchens, there, more than 52 years ago.  He cooked, I cleaned, definitely a lead-in to the enduring marriage we have enjoyed. Based on his deep faith, wise counsel and encouragement, I joined the Catholic Church, so that we could share more closely our walk with Christ. I am forever grateful for this gift. We grew together in our faith, rarely missing an opportunity for weekly Eucharist. Ted taught CCD and proclaimed the word for many years.  We navigated those sometimes rocky moments of marriage and child rearing with prayer and the love of the Lord.  


 
After graduation and brief sojourns to Minnesota and New York, we came back home to Colorado, where we raised our four children. Their Dad introduced them (and me) to skiing, camping, hiking, climbing the fourteeners, canoeing, fishing and Scouting.  He supported their sports ambitions, mostly soccer, and 4H endeavors. Ted planned many trips for his growing family to enjoy the State and National Forests and Parks, in and around Colorado. He was a volunteer naturalist at Castlewood Canyon State Park for many years.  Ted was a train buff, and treated us to many historic rides. He could be a strict father, but love for his children always shone through, much like the love of our Lord.  Our children grew in faith. They were his greatest joy.  



Tragically, our second son took his own life 16 years ago.  Ted and I felt a great need to deepen our faith understanding, and together, we attended four years of Catholic Biblical School and took a memorable pilgrimage trip to Israel and Jordan, an amazing journey thru the whole of scripture and the lands that Jesus knew.  



Two of our children gave us that wonderful gift of grandchildren.  Renee and Greg's four are all college students.  Ted totally enjoyed celebrating their accomplishments, both in academics and in sports. Fall weekends became delightfully occupied with games and events.  Steve and Jennifer's three girls provided hugs, stories, music and art, and some great camping trips, to round out our recent family activities.  Karyn, clearly Walmart's most dependable employee, shopped and cooked for her Dad, weekly, providing Mom with an evening out and grocery chore relief.  



Thanks to Ted's work with United Airlines, travel was affordable.  We took anniversary adventures to Bermuda and Australia, and went trekking on the South island of New Zealand.  We've traveled to Bermuda, England, Scotland, Israel, Jordan, Canada, and Mexico.  He was full of surprises, too!  One BD, a piano arrived, on another BD, a hot air balloon ride.  Not many wives can claim such special BD treatment.



Recently, I have discovered the great regard his coworkers and friends had for Ted.  Thanking him for being the quiet listener, the smart thinker, and a gentle guiding force.



Ted was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease 16 years ago. Eight years ago, the relentless devastation of Alzheimer's disease was added, slowly scouring his brain of who he was.  Most recently we were supported by too wonderful local facilities. Ted became a Sky Cliff Center participant, one day a week, for several years.  He gained new friends and I gained much appreciated ‘me' time.  Most recently, Castle Rock Care Center surrounded us with outstanding care and comfort in his last days and hours.



Despite the relentless misery of disease, Ted became particularly disillusioned by the horror of so many young, promising lives cut short by the madness of war.  These families would forever be deprived of the many years of family joy we had been blessed to experience.  Jesus preached peace.  In honor of Ted, please pray daily for peace.   Heaven has gained a loving, faithful, loyal, servant.  Ted was a good, good man. 



On a Sunday, two weeks before his death, we experienced a rare connection together, and he clearly said, ‘I think it's time to be checkin' out'.  And so he did.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

Jeanne, 
I worked with Ted for many years at United/Covia/Galileo. I was in OPS while Ted was in Systems Programming. But we worked together during countless cut-overs and updates. Ted was extremely smart, gentle, caring and would take all the time it took to explain a complicated procedure.

Our hearts & our prayers go out to Jeanne and the entire family during this difficult time. May God bless your entire family.

Love & prayers to all,
Kay & Steve

I will miss my Uncle Ted - I can remember him all the way back to when we were all little kids and my father (Jeanne's brother Ben) took our family back east where we met our cousins in the Sloat family house.  Then they all moved to Broomfield, CO, just north of where we lived, and we saw them more often.  I could always have good conversations with him - he was very smart, had a great sense of humor and wit and was always there to help, just a really good guy!

I saw Ted about 45 years after we had graduated from the Abbey in Canon City.  He was the same kind, smiling guy I knew that long time ago even with his parkinson's.  I know that God has granted him a high place in heaven.  Jeanne, may God give you the necessary blessings as you continue your life.

Jerry and Norma Bergeman, Florrisant, CO

I had the privilage of working with Ted for many years. He was held in the highest regard by his coworkers. He had a brilliant technical mind & a rare ability to explain complex technical concepts in an unselfish & constructive way that never offended. He was a good & decent man who made friends with everyone he worked with. He will be remembered fondly by all of us that he worked with.

Jeanne, we have been friends for a LONG time starting in good old Po-keep-sie where Ted and I worked together on the most "one of a kind" projects in the history of IBM (I think). Then we came to Denver, and soon you guys followed, and we were together again at IBM. Always when things got bad or confused, Ted was the guy who was solid and knew what to do. I am sorry we were not able to attend the mass, but neither of us is very good to  go without a grocery cart to hang on to. However, we are praying for Ted and for you and the kids; and we know that he is above praying for all of you too.I am sure he is with our Lord, because he surely had his purgatory here on earth.
Our love and prayers,
Mary and Art

We are all on are own schedule to meet God. Our prayers and thoughts are with Ted. Sorry we were not able to attend todays service.

Jack & Susie Heard

My condolences to your family.
  I had the honor and pleasure of Ted's guidance on several projects over the years at United/Covia.  I will never forget on a business trip to Swindon when he pulled out a math textbook to pass the time.  He was an inspiration and such a kind man.
  May the Lord hold you in his arms through these difficult times.

Ted's kindness, intelligence, wisdom, knack for sharing and mentoring, and patience will never be matched.  Thankfully he left pieces of himself with everyone he met.  Ted, I will never forget that you were the first person to give me technical guidance in the TPF systems group when I transferred from SFO to DEN in 1971.  Good memories last forever!  Thank you.

I always admired Ted with his quiet demeanor and rather dry sense of humor.  Ted, Frank Javernick and I worked at the Abbey together the summer of 1955.  We worked hard, but also had a lot of fun.  I have often reflected on that summer through the years, and have come to the realization that Ted had a profound effect on my life.  I am truly saddened I did not keep in contact with him after we graduated from the Abbey in 1956.  I know he must have grown to be one fine man.  My deepest condolences to his family.  I'm sure he will be sorely missed.

Affectionately,

Leo Pimple

I will always remember Grandpa. He was pretty cool! He did a lot of fun stuff with us, and I will treasure those memories forever. I miss you grandpa!

I worked with Ted in TPF systems for approximately 25 years at United/Covia/Galileo. 
As stated by others he was one of the smartest guys I've ever come across.  He had a gift and an insight into the world of TPF and was able to share that knowledge and insight with the rest of us.  He was so easy going and always had a smile.  I don't think I ever heard him utter an unkind word about anyone. 

After he retired, he and John Sullivan (also deceased)and I would often get together for lunch to discuss technology, United Airlines, politics and sports.  I will miss those times together.  As a Colorado native I felt a special kinship with Ted who was also born and raised here.  

I have many memories of working with Ted but what comes foremost to my mind was the time I spent with him as part of a team that moved the Galileo System from Swindon, England to DTC. I believe he was instrumental in the decision to use Online Capture/Restore to transfer the entire system over the network from Swindon. The Galileo System was captured to tape in Swindon and each tape transfered via a huge T1 network to DTC where the tapes were restored to the new system.  Worked like a charm!

I look back fondly to my time working at United/Covia/Galileo.  Ted occupied a big place in my working career!

Ted's family was foremost in his life and I know his battle with illness impacted them deeply.  To Jeanne, Ted's children and grandchildren I offer my deepest sympathy.

Jeanne and Family,  Our condolences on your loss, but know Ted is in a better place now.  He was a true friend and mentor and I learned a great deal from him.  Will miss him!  God's Blessings on you during this hard time.

My Grandpa was always there for me. Listening, even if when no one else was interested. I'll always miss my Grandpa, with each passing day. My mind fills with memories and dreams that will never happen again. Nothing will ever be the same without him. Now I have the rest of my family to help me through, one step at a time. Grandpa you will forever be treasured in my heart. For as long as I hold onto our memories, we will never be far apart.

Whenever I think Grandma, I think Grandpa. I start thinking about his smile and the way he talked to me. Some adults talk to me like I'm a kid which I am but.... Grandpa understood. He payed attention to the little details other people missed. Instead of looking Grandpa saw. The world is missing something valuable, without Grandpa. Grandpa was the one that popped in while Grandma and I took our piano lessons. While he distracted her I bolted out. Grandpa was the one that watched us play in our little play house. (From a distance but still watching us.) Grandpa might have not known about the last visit I had with him at the nursing home, but he knows now. And he'll always know.

I remember Ted from the time I moved to Denver with United.  He was a wonderful support to me and all those with whom he worked.  It has been some time since I last saw Ted but memories of him will be with me forever.
My heart felt condolenses to the family and friends.  Steve Howard

Ted, was my friend and mentor, i will miss his smile.

I learned this morning about Ted's passing and I want to express my condolences.  
 
Ted was one of the smartest guys I knew. When I was a rookie software developer for United Airlines, Ted often took time to teach me new ways to develop and ... well think really.  Ted routinely stretched the creative environment and made things very exciting on Apollo.  His ideas were the fore-runners of many current practices, not only in TPF technology but all practices.  Things like the concurrent load process, where we could introduce changes to a very complicated system, then run some traffic through the new code, to make sure it was stable before putting it fully in production.  Then also being able to remove that same code instantly if a problem was encountered. Perhaps these things might not sound profound to someone that wasn't actually there, but I saw his mind work and its success was wonderful to behold.  Ted was the thought leader, and his approach was infectious and he shared the successes with us all, when most of the credit belonged to him.
 
There were many occasions where Ted showed, not only technical brilliance, but mentoring brilliance as well.  He was very influential to me, and thus my family. He invested his time, teaching me how to be a good manager, by listening, not always talking, and allowing my people to do their job.  He encouraged me to get my masters degree, and position myself to be a leader.  His influence, along with some of his colleagues, was what gave me my opportunities.  I was blessed to know and work with Ted early in my career. 
 
The challenges you must have been undertaking, caring for him through the Parkinson's and Alzheimer's must have been difficult as well. Let me share that your wonderful expression of love also impacts the world and God appreciates that as does Ted and us all. 
 
God bless you Jeanne. I pray for you and your family and look forward to eternity where we'll all be reunited. 

Rick Owens

When I first came to UAL and was struggling to learn to program in assembler language, Ted patiently worked with me until I got it.  When I fretted about making a mistake he said "jump in with both feet and learn from it".  He was a great mentor and a person I will never forget.

Jen,. He was a wonderful fellow to work with at United Airlines. Sorry we can not be with you but our prayers will be with you always. Pat & Buss Nicholaisen

Ted was one of the smartest people I've ever known. When combined with his calm confidence, it made working with him a great pleasure, even when he was systematically dismantling some "great idea" of mine.

The world is diminished without Ted.

OBITUARY

Theodore Charles Schwarz Jr.

18 January, 1939 – 17 February, 2012

Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services