Robert David Schwab

Robert David Schwab, 83, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, November 24, 2015. Robert was born April 20, 1932 in Sommerville, NJ to the late Robert Ware Schwab and Belva Smith Schwab. He joined the Boy Scouts in 1944 in Troop 39 of Long Branch, NJ.He was elected to the Order of the Arrow, and during the period 1949 to 1950, he was responsible for establishing Na Tsi Hi Lodge #71, completed the requirements to become an Eagle Scout, and he was elected as the first Chief of Na Tsi Hi Lodge #71. Robert graduated from Long Branch High School, and he commenced his freshman year at Susquehanna University to play football for the famous coach Amos Alonzo Stagg. Due to a family illness in 1953, Mr. Schwab left Susquehanna University, and completed the school year at the then Monmouth Junior College, now known as Monmouth University. In 1954, he enlisted in the United States Army. After completing basic training, Private Schwab was assigned to the National Honor Guard Unit in Washington, DC. After receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1955, Robert Schwab enrolled at Montclair State College, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Education degree on June 4, 1959. Robert became the first Advisor to Explorer Post 39 in Long Branch, and in 1956, he started Troop 118 sponsored by the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in West Long Branch. In 1956, Monmouth Council purchased Forestburg Scout Reservation, and Robert Schwab served as the first waterfront director; a position that he held through the 1959 camping season. In 1959 he also met Diana Hansen on a blind date and they’ve been inseparable since. He started teaching mathematics and science at Manasquan Elementary School in 1959, and retired from teaching in 1989. During his tenure at Manasquan he coached football at the high school. He also coached soccer and baseball for the Wall Township leagues for many years. Robert married Diana on September 3, 1960 in East Orange, N.J.They moved to Wall Township in 1962, where they raised their four children. Robert and Diana were active in the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Manasquan as choir members and serving on the church council. During the 80s and 90s they were also active with the Lakewood Mӓnner and Damenchor where Robert served as president. After being a resident of Monmouth County N.J. for over sixty years, he and Diana built a house in Buffalo Junction, Virginia, where they retired. Robert D. Schwab is survived by his sons, Robert C. Schwab of Buffalo NY and Erich R. Schwab of San Antonio, TX; daughters, Heather (Schwab) Galloso of Edinburgh, TX, and Dawn (Schwab) Koenig of Cedar Run, NJ; thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The memorial service is at the Clarksville Presbyterian Church, Clarksville, VA, at 11:00 AM Friday, December 11, 2015 officiated by the Reverend Jim Moss. Visitation and a reception for friends and family will immediately follow at the church. A memorial service for friends and family in NJ. will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Osborn Ave, Manasquan, NJ. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the respective churches: Clarksville Presbyterian Church, P. O. box 717, Clarksville, VA 23927 and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 6 Osborn Avenue, Manasquan, NJ08736