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Richard Swartz Obituary
Richard was a 1960 graduate of Stow High School and a 1969 graduate of the University of South Florida. He served in the United States Air Force from 1960 to 1964.
After receiving his law degree (J.D.) from the University of Notre Dame in 1972, he joined the law practice of Doug Reading in Wabash, Ind., where he later formed his own independent practice. In 1990, he became an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) for the Social Security Administration Office of Hearings and Appeals. He served in Johnstown, Pa., from 1990 to 2000, and then in Roanoke, Va., from 2000 until his retirement in 2011. In the community,
Richard was a member of the Scottish Rite Freemasons 32nd Degree, the Shriners International, and the Hanna Lodge. He enjoyed the company of his friends at Smith Mountain Lake, he loved music and travel, and he was an avid animal lover.
Richard is survived by his wife, Nancy; and his children, one son, Richard Alfred Swartz, of Bangkok, Thailand, and two stepdaughters, Megan Oeth, of Minneapolis, Minn., and Mandy Showalter, of Nashville, Tenn. He is also survived by his father, Richard William Swartz, of Ravenna; two brothers, Ricky Swartz, also of Ravenna, and Randy Swartz, of Youngstown, Ohio; two sisters, Becky Gordon, of San Francisco, Calif., and Beverly Tucker, of St. Petersburg, Fla. Along with his family, Richard will be missed by two beloved companions, one dog, Gracie, and one parrot, Polly.
Services will be held at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow, Ohio, 330-688-6631.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Swartz
Ron Flynn
June 23, 2019
I will never forget Richards, He was a great friend , never forget the good times we had together. Ron Flynn
Nancy Swartz
July 20, 2011
I'm Judge Swartz'z wife, Nancy. I want to thank all of you for sharing your thoughts and memories of this most talented man. He touched all of our lives in different ways, but that was the many sides of him. His steady hand and outlook on life is missed already. He fought a courageous battle and left us with a model to follow. The Swartz family are all trying to be as courageous in his passing as he was in illness. Thank you all for your outpouring of Love. Nancy Swartz
Patty Teter Fischer
July 7, 2011
We were so sorry to learn of Dicks passing. Joel and I just saw him at the 50 year reunion. He sat beside me in Study hall 205. He was always such a nice person. He will be missed.Please accept our deepest sympathy. Joel and Patty Fischer
July 5, 2011
I regret I did not know you...but your son I know well, in that he has a great heart to all that need support and love...to me that means you have been a great father and are good at heart and soul - my deepest thoughts are with you - love JV
Terry& Nancy Swartz
July 2, 2011
So sorry to hear that our cousin passed away, Our love and prayers are with you and your family. God Be With Yoy!
James Williams
July 2, 2011
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
lynn francis
July 2, 2011
Great memories of Dick.
RON FLYNN
July 1, 2011
NANCY--I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT RICHARD PASSING.I WILL NEVER FORGET THE GOOD TIMES AND THE STORIES.TWO THAT STICKS IN MY MIND ( LANDING ON THE SAND BAR IN FL.) AND THE BOAT BATTERY FALLING BACK DOWN THE HILL .
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYER GO OUT TO YOU AND FAMILY
Matt Jacoby
July 1, 2011
Mr. Swartz was always fun to be around. From funny cook books to his dog that would walk into the basketball goal post as if it didn't exist. My heart goes out to all his family.
Andie Redwine-Becker
June 30, 2011
I am grateful to Mr. Swartz for being such a fantastic father to one of my dearest friends. His son, Richard, shares his keen wit, his delightful storytelling ability, and his concern for those in our midst who need justice. I am grateful to Mr. Swartz for teaching his son these qualities, and I will always remember his hand-over-hand turning technique as we were all learning to drive. God bless all of you during this difficult time.
Bill and Pam Tenan
June 30, 2011
Most of my memories of Dick are from when
we both attended Stow High. They are
great memories. The Buddy Holly days. He joined the Air Force and I went into the
Navy. We lost touch until the mid-80's
when he solved a problem I had with a
deadbeat tenant. I did have the opportunity to meet Polly at that time.
We never had the occasion to meet his
family but we certainly offer them our
condolences. He was a good buddy.
Millard Swartz
June 30, 2011
God be with the Swartz family, we will be praying for you all. Millard wants you to know that he is unable to come to the funeral. But our love and prayers are with you at this time. Richard Lee was loved and will miss him so very much.
Jim and Karen Fritz
June 30, 2011
Dear Nancy, We are so so sorry. We are really glad we got to see you and Dick last year. We have lots of memories of high school days, good memories. You and your family are in our prayers. God Bless You. Jim and Karen Fritz
Redmon Funeral Home Inc.
June 30, 2011
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Gordon Malick
June 29, 2011
I first met Richard and Nancy in the Johnstown hearing office. He was quick to clue me in to the politics of the office, and we became good friends. As a story teller he was a master. His story of how he bred a gigantic steer by artificial insemination to one of the scrawny cows he inherited with the purchase of his mountain top farm, and the resultant offspring still brings tears to my eyes. Later when I was able to help him to transfer to Roanoke, he bought the new house next door to us. For the next two years we enjoyed his humor and friendship. He will always remain one of the brightest and most personable judges and persons I have known, and I pray that his memory will be eternal and that the Lord will grant his soul rest in a place of refreshment, freefrom the pain and suffering he endured so nobly during his years of illness.
Linda Maxie
June 29, 2011
My deepest sympathies to the Swartz family.
I worked with Judge Swartz at the Roanoke Virginia hearing office for the last ten years until I retired January 1. I wrote decisions for him and thoroughly enjoyed our chats. We shared stories of the University of South Florida from where we both graduated. He always had a smile and could make some of the most stressful situations better. A particularly great memory I will charish is everytime I passed him with my Seeing Eye Dog, he would say, "where are you going with my dog", or "Do you want to come with me" - to my dog!
Linda Maxie
This photo was taken at our Swartz Family Reunion 2010. Richard Lee Swartz, you are loved & will be greatly missed by us all.
Mandee Scyoc
June 29, 2011
June 29, 2011
I was Judge Swartz's Lead Case Technician and worked with him in the Roanoke, VA for many years. He was a pleasure to know and will be missed by all. He always talked about his Parrot, Polly, always telling new stories about her. My prayers go out to the family and may your loss be comforted with memories he left behind. With Sincere and heartfelt sympathy.
Sherrie Lemons
Pamela Barkley
June 29, 2011
I worked for Judge Swartz in 1991 at the ODAR office in Johnstown, PA. I was new to the office only a couple months when I was assigned to a Judge and unfortunately for him Judge Swartz was the one I was assigned to. He was so kind and understanding of the fact that I was totally clueless in what I was doing. I will always remember his kindness. He made coming into work everyday alot more enjoyable because of his humor, he made us all laugh. He will be in my heart always. My prayers are with the family on the loss of this gentle and kind man.
Michelle Ott
June 29, 2011
While we didn't have a chance to know Judge Swartz, we have had the pleasure of knowing his daughter, Megan Oeth, for many years. She is a wonderful person and from the stories she has told us about her father he was a gift to those around him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this very difficult time and we hope that you will find some comfort in the happy memories you have of him.
michael sposeep
June 29, 2011
The Swartz Family, I have such fond memories of our time in Wabash with Rick.. We were neighbors, terrible gardners and worse baseball players. I always enjoyed and respected his arguments in the Courtroom. My wife Patti and I wish you a gentile recovery from your loss. Michael Sposeep, Senior Judge Wabash, Indiana
Neely Owen
June 29, 2011
Though I never had the pleasure of meeting any of his family, it was clear from the way he spoke of them during our conversations that his family was very important to him. Always ready with a funny story or an interesting anecdote, Richard made even casual contact with him enjoyable and something to look forward to. My prayers are with the Swartz family, that their loss may be comforted by the fond memories they have of him and that a gracious God will make their happiest and best recollections of his life foremost in their hearts when he is brought to mind.
Karen Koytek
June 29, 2011
I was Judge Swartz's legal clerk when he first came to Johnstown back in 1990. He was the sweetest, nicest man that you could ever know. I thoroughly enjoyed working for him - he would have large picnics at his farm and invite everyone from the office. Such good memories and kindness from he and his beautiful wife, Nancy! I didn't realize that he's been gone from Johnstown now for 11 years - the years have gone by quickly! My deepest condolences and prayers to Nancy and his entire family. This news has been devastating to our entire office, but God just got another angel and we will all be together again one day.
Margo Minton-Wolfe
June 29, 2011
Judge Swartz, I only got to work with you for a few years but you were one of the nicest I got to work with. My Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Swartz Family at this time.
Robin Grimm
June 29, 2011
I was a clerk for Judge Swartz in the Johnstown, PA Hearing Office some years ago. He was a super person to work for. I am so glad to have known him and will cherish the memories. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time.
Patty K
June 29, 2011
Judge Swartz, you're cheerful, smiling face is going to be missed here at the ODAR office. Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Swartz Family. R~I~P Judge Swartz
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