John "Jack" Robert Schwille

Jack developed a deep love of learning early in life. He graduated from Franklin Central School in Franklin, NY, and went on to earn a BA magna cum laude from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in comparative sociology and politics of education. It was while Jack was in Chicago that he met the love of his life, Sharon. They married in 1967 and began a life together that would take them around the world.

Jack’s career in international education lasted over four decades, the majority spent at Michigan State University where he retired from the position of assistant dean for the Office of International Studies in Education (OISE) in 2013.

He earned many recognitions during his long career including receiving the university award of special recognition for contributions to MSU international studies and programs, honorary membership (2010) in International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA)—IEA’s highest honor, contributing to MSU’s win of Best Practice Award for Global and International Teacher Education from the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, 2006, and the Ralph H. Smuckler Award for Advancing International Studies at Michigan State University, 1999. He also authored numerous books and articles.

Jack’s work brought many opportunities for travel. He loved to travel. Work and pleasure took him to over 20 nations, travelling with Sharon when he could. He returned often for work or vacation to Sweden, Burundi, Guinea and other nations in Africa. It was while at MSU and working in West Africa that Jack formed a lifelong friendship with the Dembele family.

Jack and Sharon shared a marriage that spanned nearly six decades, and a life filled with adventures, food, friendships, and travel. Jack was a loving father to two children, in whom he took great pride

Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Sharon Schwille; children: Kirsten (Devesh) Desai and John Arnold (Kathleen) Schwille; grandchildren: Annika Desai, Aren Desai, Isak Schwille and Nicholas Schwille; sister Helen Schwille Fiore. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Anthony Fiore.

A memorial service for Jack will be held Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 800 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823. Jack gave generously to charity throughout his life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Jack may be made to the charity of your choice.