Richard Schwab

Richard Schwab Rich Schwab of Eugene died Monday, Jan. 22, with family and friends at his side, due to complications from a stroke. He was 75. Rich was an athlete, a teacher, a coach, a restauranteur and a business executive. He was a father, an immensely proud grandfather, and an intuitive leader and motivator. He was selfless, caring and very funny. He had a gift for making others feel valuable and meaningful. He positively influenced countless people. Rich was born Dec. 9, 1942, in San Diego, Calif., to Albert and Jane Schwab. He spent most of his childhood in Spring Valley, Calif., where he attended Mt. Miguel High School. He was a gifted, hard-working, intelligent athlete who excelled in football, basketball and track. After graduating from high school, Rich accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Oregon to play football for coach Len Casanova. He was a UO wide receiver from 1960 to 1963, when the Ducks reached the Sun Bowl, and many of his teammates became life-long friends. At Oregon, Rich met Kellijean Winsor, and they married Dec. 30, 1966. After obtaining his master’s degree, Rich became a teacher and coach at Sheldon High School, before becoming head football coach at Churchill High School from 1969-72 and then at Marist High School, where he led the Spartans to an undefeated season, a state championship and fostered the enduring Marist slogan “We are One.” In 1978, Rich retired from teaching and entered the business world, spending several years in restaurant ownership and management before becoming Human Resource Director at Timber Products, a position he held for 16 years before retirement. Rich enjoyed traveling, golfing, fishing, barbecuing, woodworking, and spending time with his former Oregon teammates. As a husband, father, brother and grandfather, he gave unconditional love, treasuring his six grandchildren, following their sports and activities, and earning the title “The World’s Greatest Papa.” The eldest of four children, Rich is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kelli Schwab, and his daughters Jamilyn Granston (husband Ted) and Holly Herbert (husband Mark), and six grandchildren, Mitchell, Justin, Patrick, Madison, McKenzie and Sophie. He is also survived by his brother, Ronald, and his sisters, Barbara Greenman and Marilyn Black. His parents and a son, Jason Tyler Schwab, preceded him in death. A memorial service will take place at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2, followed by a celebration of life at noon at the Club Level at Autzen Stadium. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Rich’s memory to research to combat Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com