Robert Lasalle 'Bob' Schwartz

Robert LaSalle Schwartz, Jr., 71, of Vermilion, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph after a lengthy illness.Father, husband, grandfather, career military, broadcaster, and public servant. Robert was born March 7, 1941 in Pittsburgh, PA and had been a 36 year Vermilion resident and a Kelleys Island resident He retired after 10 years from the United States Air Force serving during the Vietnam War. He trained as a broadcast specialist.. Bob worked as a radio broadcaster for several stations including WIMA/LIMA Broadcasting Corporation that owned stations in Ohio as well as Michigan. He was News Director from 1971 - 1977. He was also a television news reporter. Bob volunteered for many years at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Vermilion. He served 21 years on the City of Vermilion Civil Service Commission serving under five different Mayors retiring in 2010. He volunteered as Master of Ceremonies for many charities. He was a member of the VFW Post 9908, Kelleys Island, AMVETS, the Knights of Columbus, and served as a trustee and on the Board of Directors for the Kelleys Island Historical Preservation. Bob and his late wife of 39 years. Kathleen Joy Schwartz had 3 daughters, Jenifer Nellie ( Sean) McMonagie, University Heights, Beth Marie (Willard) Greenwood, Hiram, Ohio and Jeannette Joy Schwartz, Cleveland Heights; and grandsons, Robert LaSalle Greenwood and Michael Sargent Greenwood; He is survived by his wife, Robin Schwartz (nee Fletcher) of Vermilion; sisters, Mary Jo (Dave ) Gerrasch of Oberlin Park, KS, Kathy Schwartz of Oberlin Park, KS, and Patty (Charles) Cusick of Bingham Farms, MI; brothers, Richard "Digger" Schwartz of Westlake and Kelleys Island and Peter (Erin) Schwartz of Mainville Farms, OH. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Robert L. and Mary Jean "Pixie" (nee Whitcomb) Schwartz Sr. A memorial service will be at the VFW Post 9908, 61 Division St. Kelleys Island, Ohio on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. A memorial mass will be held September 19, 2012 at 10 a.m. at St Mary Catholic Church, 731 Exchange Street, Vermilion, Ohio. Father Phil Feltman will officiate. The family suggests memorial contributions to Assistance Dogs for Achieving Independence, ADAI, 5605 Monroe Street, Sylvania, OH 43560, Kelleys Island VFW Post 9908, 611 Division Street, Kelleys Island, Ohio 43438, or Kelleys Island Historical Preservation, P.O. Box 721, Kelleys Island, Ohio 43438. In Bob's own words "I was here for 71 years. It was a hell of a ride. The best is yet to come. Thank you one and all. God Bless America!" Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.