IN MEMORIAM
EXPANDED EULOGIES
Dick Schwartz
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church for Colonel Richard H. Schwartz, USMC (ret.), 85, who passed away April 20, 2021, at St. Luke Living Center in Marion.
Dick’s life began on Oct. 1, 1935, in Leavenworth. He was the son of Joseph and Erma P. (Hawes) Schwartz.
Dick was a 1953 graduate of Leavenworth High School, where he excelled in athletics. He went on to Ottawa University, where he earned his bachelor of science degree and earned athletic letters in football, basketball, and track, and was inducted into the Ottawa Hall of Fame.
Dick completed his formal education by earning his masters degree in business from the University of Southern California.
He was united in marriage to Margie Bernhardt Aug. 9, 1959, in Marion.
Dick began his military career in 1954 by serving in the United States Coast Guard, and served his country later in the United States Marine Corps until his retirement as a Colonel in 1989.
While in the Marine Corps, Dick served in Vietnam as an infantry company commander and earned several commendations. He represented the Marine Corps in the All Service and national AAU track meets where he set a Marine Corps record personal best discus throw, breaking the record of Olympian Bob Mathias.
He later used those skills to coach the Marion High School discus throwers and sent two athletes to state competition.
After retirement, Dick moved to Florida, working with veteran’s affected by the Dow Chemical Co.’s “Agent Orange.”
He was a humanitarian at heart. Whether it was making sure those less fortunate had food on a holiday or giving away clothing to strangers, Dick was always thinking of his fellow man.
He was responsible for a local food drive during the Vietnam War, asking for commodities from the community to feed to the children he encountered in Vietnam.
Dick was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Kiwanis, and Eastmoor United Methodist Church.
He loved to golf and travel, and enjoyed driving his 1966 Mustang.
His greatest joy was his family, which includes his wife Margie Schwartz of Marion; son Thane (and wife, Judy) Schwartz of Marion; daughter Peri (and husband, Ray) Griffith of Chesapeake, Virginia; grandchildren Landon (and wife, Stephanie) Schwartz, Bronson Schwartz, Richard (and wife, Kylie) Griffith, Ben (and wife, Ashley) Griffith and Daniel Griffith; and great-grandchildren Josslyn, Adeline, Easton, Conley, and Ransom.
He was preceded in death by his parents and 12 siblings.
His family will gather with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, at Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, Marion.
His memorial service will be led by Pastor Darren Frazier and supported by the Marine Corps Reserve unit from Wichita.
Dick will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C. with full military honors.
Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to the Marion Food Bank or Ronald McDonald Charities, both in care of the funeral home.
Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Dick at www.ymzfh.com.