Richard Frederick Schwab

Richard Frederick Schwab, 73, of Clifton, Virginia, passed away at home on Wednesday, November 29th, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He will be remembered as a loving husband, a wonderful father, a dedicated brother, a consummate professional, and a selfless member of the local community.

Rick was born on September 5th, 1950 to Fred and Jane Schwab in Corry, Pennsylvania. After Rick graduated from Corry Area High School, he received his bachelor’s degree from Edinboro State College. While at Edinboro, he met and eventually married Kristi Smith Schwab. Rick and Kristi had two children, Jeff and Brad Schwab.

After graduation from Edinboro, Rick enlisted in the United States Navy, briefly serving on the USS BARNEY (DDG-6), before he was selected for Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) where, upon graduation, he was commissioned as an Ensign. After finishing flight school and earning his Naval Flight Officer Wings of Gold, he began a 20-year career as a P-3 Orion Navigator, serving tours in Brunswick, Maine (twice); Honolulu, Hawaii; Adak, Alaska; Monterey, California (Naval Postgraduate School); Jacksonville, Florida; and Arlington, Virginia (the Pentagon).

Following his retirement from the Navy as a Commander, he worked as the Military Legislative Assistant (MLA) to Senator Dan Coats (R-IN), before leaving Congress to work in the private sector, including McDonnell Douglas and the Boeing Company, for the next two decades.

After retiring from Boeing, Rick filled his days with local recreational sailing in the Chesapeake (earning his Captain and Instructor qualifications), road cycling (including a recent race across France), and international competitive sailing (with the Clipper Round the World Race).

Rick was predeceased in death by his parents, his wife Kristi, and his younger brother, Fred Schwab. He is survived by his brother, Robert Schwab (Cheryl), sister-in-law, Sue Schwab, his two sons, Jeff and Brad, and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.

Services will be held at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church on Monday, December 11th at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your local Hospice organization, a service he felt strongly about.