George Robert "Bob" Schwarz

Bob was born to Sigmund C. Schwarz and Helen M. Dahlgren Schwarz of Portland. Bob graduated from Grant High School in 1943.

He joined the Navy at the onset of WWII and served in the Pacific Theatre as a motor-machinist, stopping at over 60 ports during his service on the ship USS Fond du Lac. After an Honorable Discharge in 1946, he attended Oregon State University and studied Civil Engineering.

His career led him to Nicaragua where he worked on the Inter-American Highway now known as the Pan American Highway, building, designing and overseeing the development of the project for that region. His daughter Katy was born in Nicaragua.

His career continued to expand after his time with the Bureau of Public Roads. Bob held various positions with the U.S. Corps of Engineers. In 1962, he was employed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs as the Area Irrigation Engineer in Gallup, New Mexico and served as Area Safety Engineer with Portland Area Office. Bob met Loretta Graves at work and they were married in 1971. Bob retired from the Bureau in 1979.

Bob was an avid sportsman. He climbed Mount Hood 12 times throughout his life and every mountain in Oregon and Washington. In 1974, at the age of 49 he retraced his grandfather’s 12.5-hour bicycle route to Timberline. The next day he climbed Mt. Hood in 7 hours and after the climb he mounted his 10-speed for the 60 mile return trip to Portland; completing the ride in 3.5 hours. Bob’s other interests included competitive shooting with this 30-caliber small bore gun, bicycling, snow skiing, and motorcycle riding. He was a long-time member of the Lobo Motorcycle Club. His many other club memberships included Oregon City Toastmasters, Bureau of Indian Affairs Retirees and the West Linn Senior Writing Group.

A faithful born-again Christian, Bob attended many Friday night bible studies for 22 years. He believed in serving mankind and volunteered on many missions to Baja, Mexico to assist in maintaining orphanages for destitute children.

Bob and Loretta became American Grandparents and host several Asian Exchange Students from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. They came to America to study English at Marylhurst University. Nozomi Yoshida stayed five months and left February 13, 2016. Nozomi and Bob spent many hours together talking, laughing and learning about WWII. He loved her attention and she loved her American Grandparents.

He is predeceased by his parents, brother and daughter Rebecca. Bob is survived by his loving wife Loretta, his daughter Katherine (Rob) Schwarz Maynard, son Shawn (Nike’) Schwarz, his step-daughters Karen (Kelly) Graves Pyrch, Sharol (Deborah) Graves,, son-in-law Marty Doherty, nieces Linda Schwarz, Sally (Scott) Beaham, nephew David (Michelle) Schwarz, 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

He may have been best known for his belief that, “I know where I came from and I know where I am going”. In his later days when asked, “Bob, how are you”? He would jokingly respond, “I’m still ahead of the wolves and out of jail” with a chuckle. Many will remember him for wearing his “Endangered Species” baseball hat signifying how few WWII veterans are living among us today. Bob is now sent off on the wings of angels to his heavenly home. A Celebration of Life Celebration will be held at New Hope Community Church, 11731 SE Stevens Road, Happy Valley, OR, 97086, on Thursday, June, 16th at 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Bob’s honor to: Oregon Alzheimer’s Association at: www.alz.org, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, www.ohsu.edu, or the Make a Wish Foundation of Oregon, www.oregon.wish.org.

Arrangements under the direction of Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, Portland, OR.