Robert Delbert Schwandt

He and his twin sister, Grace, were born to Bob and Wanda (Horton) Schwandt on December 12th, 1957 in Torrance, California. The family moved to Riverside in the 1960’s and Robert joined the Alvord Family at Orrenmaa Elementary School.

Robert was an Alvord treasure. He was raised in the Alvord community, attended Alvord schools (Orrenmaa, Arizona, and La Sierra), and raised his family in the same schools and community. Upon graduating from La Sierra High School in 1976, Mr. Schwandt attended CSULB before earning an MBA from UCR. He spent his entire professional career working as an executive with the many iterations of Pac Bell, retiring after 31 years from AT&T in 2012. He loved team building with his leaders and found lifelong friends through his association with the Orco/Telco Golf Association. As a member of Magnolia Church, Robert loved playing in church sports leagues and serving as a Sunday School Teacher, where he was lovingly known as SpongeBob. He also served as a Deacon and a Trustee. Upon retirement, Robert invested his time with the Alvord Educational Foundation before being elected to the School Board in 2014, where he served with distinction until his passing. Throughout his tenure on the Board, Robert served as a conduit to the greater Riverside community. He was active in the Chamber of Commerce and worked tirelessly to build bridges with local business and industry by fostering partnerships that benefited Alvord students, including internship and apprenticeship programs and job shadowing.

While his distinguished service as an Alvord Trustee will continue to be realized among generations to come, his legacy will also live within the many people whose lives he touched. Robert was known as an incredibly kind and gracious human being who viewed the world through optimistic eyes. His genial and cheerful nature and ability to make those around him feel important was a gift that transcended his being and made the world a better place. His generosity knew no bounds.

Robert met the love of his life, Beth Ann George, while both were students attending La Sierra High School. Beth was his bride for forty-two years, this October. With God, they built a beautiful life. They brought four wonderful children into this world: Brittany, Robert III, Andrew, and Bradley, and are the proud grandparents to six beautiful children: Robert D. Schwandt, IV, Oliver, Olivia, Phoebe Rae, Bentley, and Peter.

Robert loved the Great Outdoors, whether it was backpacking at the Margaret Lakes in the High Sierras, or in his own backyard with his hummingbirds, orioles, squirrels, bunnies, and hawks. He loved playing golf with friends and family, and was quite proud to be the reigning Fantasy Football Champion of the competitive Family League. Robert’s love for laughter was contagious and he always had a dad joke ready. The doctors and nurses at City of Hope, Keck USC, and Mayo Clinic all awaited his joke of the day, as did his dear colleagues on the Alvord School Board and Cabinet. He was genuinely interested in the stories of everyone he met, as witnessed by his sincere friendships with everyone at every business in the La Sierra community.

Above all, Robert placed God and family as his top priorities. Robert would encourage you, dear friends and family, to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, loving God and loving others with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.