David Schwan

Schwan, David
former Mayor of Carefree, died on April 6, 2016 after a difficult battle with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. He is survived by his wife, Binka, sister, Anita Schwartz (Bernard), and niece, Elena Baylarian (Mitchell). David Schwan, a native of York, PA, graduated from the Drexel Institute of Technology and earned an MBA in Management from New York University. He was also a commissioned Second Lieutenant in the US Army. He had a thirty-year career with the Information Technology Department of Ford Motor Company during a period of rapid growth and innovation in the use of computers. In 2001 the couple retired and built a home in Carefree. With their shared love of music, they soon became active in area churches, often helping with worship and music. His wife's devotion to dogs led Mayor Schwan to contribute his expertise in computers to the Foothills Animal Rescue. He quickly found a new "career" as a volunteer IT expert, donating time to Cave Creek Museum and the Foothills Caring Corp (formerly Center DOAR/VICAP). He served on the Advisory Board when Foothills Caring Corps became its own 501(c)(3) and then served on its first Board of Directors. Mayor Schwan was appointed to the long range financial study group for the town of Carefree in 2003. He was then appointed to the town's Planning and Zoning Commission. He joined Carefree Town Council in 2005 and he became Mayor in 2009. He helped to create and preserve the beautiful Carefree Gardens, steered through the first piece of desert land in Carefree to be held in perpetuity, and fostered the more economical combined Carefree and Cave Creek Court systems. He resigned as Mayor in February 2015 after being diagnosed with ALS. Mayor Schwan's service to the community was recognized with the 2014 Spirit of Carefree Award and in 2016 the Foothills Caring Corps honored David Schwan as Humanitarian of the Year. The service will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 10:00AM at the Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, 34605 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Scottsdale. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Arizona Chapter of the ALS Foundation, webaz.alsa.org or Foothills Caring Corps, foothillscaringcorps.com.