Our family is deeply saddened to announce that our much-loved son and brother, Andrew Raymond Schwarz, has passed away. Andrew was born April 21,1995, in Omaha NE, where he was baptized at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.
The family moved to Woodbury MN where he attended Middleton Elementary, Lake Junior High, and then graduated from East Ridge High School in 2013. He received the rest of his Sacraments at Saint Ambrose of Woodbury Catholic Church. Drew worked as a lifeguard and taught swimming lessons in the community. He enjoyed time with friends, computers, every new technology gadget, geocaching, politics, camping, rock climbing, and all things in nature. He was involved with Scouting throughout school, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in Woodbury Troop 72 in 2011. Summer camp at Tomahawk, winter camping in the Boundary Waters, and adventures to Double H and Philmont were highlights of his teen years, as was working at the polls on election day. Andrew studied at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, where he graduated early with a BS in Computer Science in 2016. While at UN-L, he enjoyed working as a computer science teaching assistant. Rock climbing with friends in Colorado provided some favorite times during his 20’s. After graduation, he worked as a software developer for Central Square Technologies in Greensboro NC until his death.
Andrew is survived by his parents, Raymond and Mary Schwarz; sister, Cara; brother, Scott; grandparents: Michael & Mary Ann Bowers of CA and Robert & Joy Schwarz of NC; aunts & uncles: Karl (Jayme) Lambert of MN, Christine (Thomas) Olinger of CA, and Godparents Deborah (Ross) Hanna of NV, Heather Lambert of MT; cousins: Brock Lambert, Aria (David) Benjamin, Bella Lambert, Christopher (Liz) Olinger, Mitchell Olinger, Mary Grace Olinger, Connie Hanna, Edwin Hanna V; extended family members in Ohio, Illinois, Florida and England; and by our dog, Oreo, who is missing his favorite person.
We will deeply miss Drew’s off-beat sense of humor, his generous helping heart, spirited current events/political discussions, and his IT guidance. Our family game nights will never be the same without his quick UNO skills, funny Telestration drawings, Catan strategies, and exasperation trying to teach us how to play video games.
Our family sincerely thanks Andrew’s high school, Scouting, Fantasy Football, and college friends for keeping in touch with him during his difficult times. We encourage you to keep checking in on one another and please reach out and accept help if needed. Take care of your physical health; it is as important as your mental health…how we wish Andrew had been able to accept help that was offered; our hearts will forever be broken by our loss. We hope that you will keep in touch with us; sharing your happy events will bring us joy.
We invite everyone to join us for Drew’s funeral Mass on Friday, December 1, at 10:00 AM at Saint Pius X Catholic Church, 2210 North Elm Street, Greensboro NC, 27408. Rosary at 9:00 AM in the chapel and luncheon in Simmons Center following Mass. Private interment will follow. In acknowledgement of Andrew’s love of fun, we encourage you to wear bright colors of his favorite teams: the Nebraska Huskers, the Vikings, the Wild, and the Twins…or a funny t-shirt.
Donations in memory of Andrew to your local animal rescue organization, to the Superior National Forest Plant-A-Tree program, or to your local Boy Scout troop are appreciated.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
