Richard A. Swartz

Richard A. Swartz, 68, of Wadsworth, Ohio, was surrounded by his loving family as he passed away on March 24, after a brief but courageous fight with Pancreatic cancer.

Rick was born October 30, 1954, in Medina, Ohio. A 1973 graduate of Medina Senior High School, Rick earned his Bachelor’s in Construction Technology from The University of Akron. He married his wife Joan (Swingle), also of Medina, in 1977, and they spent the majority of their 46 years of marriage living in Medina County. Rick was a loyal and loved employee of Babcock & Wilcox Construction Company for 40 years, where he enjoyed both the work, and his community of colleagues, through golf leagues and lunch-time walks.

He deeply valued his solitary time, taking joy in his skills with woodworking, photography, and bird-watching, and was proud to bike 60 miles on his 60th birthday. He was also generous in sharing his talents with his family. He was a master popcorn maker, especially over the campfire with his grandkids all around. Rick loved being outdoors: gardening, tending to his yard, and taking care of the birds. Rick and Joan loved hiking together daily, on trails that Rick would carefully research and select to maximize photo opportunities and bird-watching. In tune with his love of nature and service, Rick volunteered at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Wayne County Rails-to-Trails.

A self-taught acoustic guitar player with a clear and confident tenor voice, he consistently shared his musical gifts to praise God. He accompanied the choir at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wadsworth, and sang in the choir at Prince of Peace Parish in Barberton. He sang for many years with the Medina County Community Chorus with his father, Art, and was a member of the Wadsworth Community Chorus. His most cherished musical tradition was playing and singing Christmas carols with his family each year.

Rick is survived by Joan, his first and only love of 50 years, daughters Becca (Matthew) Wright and Cindy (Evan) Hughes and son Tim (Melissa) Swartz ;grandchildren Maddy, Julia, Brady, Dominick, Will, Emily, Lucas, Logan, Benjamin, Joanna, and Hannah, and brother Tom (Brenda) Swartz of Medina. Preceded in death by father, Arthur J Swartz, and Mother, Shirley Swartz.

Rick’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 1263 Shannon Ave., Norton. Fr. Robert Jackson celebrant. Calling Hours will be held on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at the Silva-Hostetler Funeral Home, 1199 Wooster Rd. West, Barberton. Private burial at York Cemetery. Memorial’s in Rick’s honor can be made to Prince of Peace Catholic Church, or to St. Vincent De Paul Society Prince of Peace Conference. To share a memory or send a condolence, please visit www.silva-hostetler.com

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