Dr. Manfred "Fred" Earl Swartz

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Manfred “Fred” Earl Swartz, on September 12, 2026 in Lansing, MI at age 87. Fred was born on September 21, 1938, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Cleo Faye Versteeg and Robert Hal Swartz. He grew up in small town Iowa alongside his two brothers Dick and Bobby.

On August 20, 1961, Fred married the love of his life, Rose Ann Sadler. Together, they shared 63 wonderful years of marriage. Together they somewhat successfully raised two boys Mark and Matt; and very successfully helped raise their granddaughter, Natalya. Fred and Rose Ann’s bond is a testament to the compassion, diligence, and love for life that makes a marriage work.

Fred’s lifelong pursuit of education began with his graduation from Humeston High School in 1950. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Northern Iowa, a master’s degree from Ohio University, and ultimately a PhD in Education from Michigan State University.

Fred's professional life was defined by his dedicated service to students and fellow faculty. A skilled writer and statistician, Fred helped dozens of individuals with their master’s theses and doctoral dissertations. During his time at Ferris State University, Fred advised a promising young cohort of students from Venezuela. Robel (Maria T) Barrios, Rafael (Jesxi) Alaña, Miguel (Dubraska) Bigott, Jiddu (Ericka) Ledezma and their families soon became an extension of the Swartz clan with many shared Thanksgivings, Spartan tailgates and milestone events.

Fred was also a lifelong athlete. In his early years, he was the proud blocking back and quarterback for Humeston High School. His love of athletics continued with canoe racing and in 1978 he and Carl Walker won the state championship and placed

12th nationally. At work, his noon hours were typically spent running in preparation for the 25k Old Kent River Bank Run which he completed nine times.

Fred’s attention then turned to cycling. He participated in numerous DALMAC and RAGBRAI bike rides, Michigan Senior Olympics where he medaled 21 times, and National Senior Olympics where he took bronze in 2005 and finished six other

events in the top ten. Fred thought of his bicycles as time-machines. He felt like a carefree kid when riding and was particularly fond of climbing the long steep hills everyone else was intimidated by.

At 87 years old, Fred was a busy guy. His days were filled with dancing and wine tasting with Darlene, planning a solo road trip to Colorado, learning computer programming, creating amazingly precise works of art in his woodshop, improving his

public speaking in Toastmasters International, lobbying for climate reform with the Sierra Club, and serving as the commissioner of The College Football Gambling Empire, better known as Jim’s Elites.

Fred’s legacy is one of enduring patience, curiosity, and a profound

commitment to making the world a better place. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers Richard Swartz and Robert Swartz, and his wife Rose Ann Sadler Swartz. He is survived by his sons Mark (Debbie) Swartz of Perry, MI and Matt (Sonia) Swartz of Grand Rapids, MI; his granddaughter Natalya Swartz of Fort Collins, CO; and a wide extended family in Iowa and Minnesota that miss him deeply.

A Celebration of Life to honor Fred's remarkable life and hear stories that can only be told after his passing, will be held on November 21, 2026, at 1:00 pm at the Mayfair Bar 1575 Lake Lansing Rd, Haslett, MI. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly

requests that donations be made to the Sierra Club in Fred's memory.

Due to the capacity of the Mayfair, please RSVP by contacting Mark via email at [email protected] or via text at 517-930-3658.

“You are as certain of arriving home as is the pathway of the sun laid down before it rises, after it has set, and in the half-lit hours in between. Indeed, your pathway is more certain still. For it can not be possible to change the course of those whom God has called to Him.”

- Foundation for Inner Peace, A Course In Miracles