Alfred Bernard "Al" Schwab, 80
Alfred Bernard "Al" Schwab, 80, passed on "to be with his maker and to be reunited with his beloved wife of 56 years, Stefanie," who died in 2003. Al was born on July 1, 1924, in Hebron, N.D., to Nels Schwab and Annastacia K. Schatz whose families were originally from Muinhuin, Russia. The family moved to Missoula when he was 5.
Al worked alongside of his father at Fort Farragut Naval Base in Idaho building barracks.
In June 1943, at the age of 18, he was drafted into the Army where he served for 3 and a half years with the Black Panthers of the 66th Division, 262 Infantry. He served in Marseille, France, and Germany, and was aboard the Leopoldville, which was sunk in the English Channel, claiming over 800 lives.
He was later stationed in Vienna, Austria, during the occupation. It was during this period that he met the love of his life, Stefanie Lehner. Upon returning home to Missoula, he sent for his fiancee and they were married in the First United Methodist Church on March 29, 1947.
Al worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad in Missoula and Laurel in the car shops and retired after 20 years. He worked briefly for Mission Homes and later became a building contractor. He constructed one of the first homes in what is now called the South Hills of Missoula. He had many interests but particularly enjoyed furniture making, needlepoint, taking pictures, and taking care of his home in the Bitterroot Valley.
He and Steffi loved to travel and made many trips back to Vienna to be with family. He loved the Austrian culture and never tired of listening to his waltzes and polkas. His parents, one brother, Clarence Schwab, and one sister, Lorraine Mitchell, preceded him in death. His daughter, Linda Robinson, of Kalispell; one sister, Bernice Johnson, of Missoula; and one brother, Nels Schwab, of Hemet, Calif., survive him. He was blessed with three wonderful grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Kimberly Kitchen and her husband, Andrew, of Point Pleasant, N.J., along with their children, Spencer and Nathaniel; Ryan Robinson and his wife, Sarah, of Seattle; and Kelly Robinson and his wife, Mandy, of Kalispell, along with their children, Graciee, Gunner and Grafton. They will greatly miss "Opa's" happy and sweet spirit. He always had a smile on his face and cherished his time with family and friends.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, in the chapel of Garden City Funeral with burial to follow at Missoula City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Quick Response Unit of Florence, the Missoula County Cancer Association, 300 J Queen Street, Missoula, MT or a favorite charity of your choice.