Anthony “Tony” Valentine Schwan passed away peacefully on July 9, 2019, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Tony was born August 30, 1931 in Aberdeen, South Dakota to Joseph Anton Schwan and Magdalena Martha Richter. Siblings include (Eva, Clementine, Ida, and Richard, all deceased) his brother Joseph P. Schwan and his sister Angeline. Tony grew up working alongside his father to help provide for the family and explored the South Dakota outdoors at every opportunity.
Tony attended St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School and Aberdeen Central High School, where his passion and love for math began. He obtained a graduate degree in Structural Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. It was there he met and fell in love with his beloved wife, Barbara Joan Mason, and soon married in Aberdeen. The couple made Chicago their home while Tony began his Professional Engineering career. It was there that 3 of his 6 children were born; Nadine, Christine and Anthony. Shortly thereafter, the family decided to move west.
Upon settling in Phoenix, Arizona in 1959, Tony & Barbara added 3 more children to their household; Stephen, Peter & Marguerite. Having watched his father work hard and make sacrifices for his family, Tony followed his lead and worked hard to establish his own Structural firm. His company grew into a very well-respected Engineering Firm where he always put the client’s needs and interests first. Tony was very active in volunteering for the church, both at St. Theresa Catholic Church and for the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix as Building Committee Chairman. He served his Family and the Lord throughout his life.
Tony is survived by his wife Barbara, his six children, 15 grandchildren, and 11 greatgrandchildren. In addition, older brother Joseph Schwan and his younger sister Angeline Schwan.
Family was the most important for Tony and he continuously strived to provide them with opportunity, love, passion, courage and family strength; providing a solid foundation for his family to grow.
He will be dearly missed.
May Tony’s soul rest in Peace.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen, South Dakota on August 10, 2019.
ANNE VOGEL
May the Schwan family feel all the love as they heal from the loss of Tony . What a life well lived!!!
Lawrence W Dubreuil Sr
To Chrissy and the entire Schwan Family I extend my Condolences and this prayer,
Almighty and Eternal God
hear our prayers for Anthony Valentine Schwan, your Son Our Brother
whom you have called from this life to yourself.
Grant him light, happiness, and peace.
Let him pass in safety through the gates of death,
and live for ever with all your saints in the light you promised
to Abraham, and to all his descendants in faith.
Guard him from all harm
and on that great day of resurrection and reward,
raise him up with all your saints.
Pardon his sins and give him eternal life in your Kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen .
Terre and Joe Catanzaro
Wishing you peace. Hugs and much love to Nadine and the entire Schwan family.
Patricia Rossman
To Chrissy Schwan and the Schwan family: my sincerest condolences to you all. Heaven has gained another saint to watch over us. May our Lord Bless you and yours.
Barbara Kubis Kitay
To the Schwan family -we are so sorry to hear about Mr Schwans’ passing. He was a wonderful man, much loved and will be missed terribly.
Christine Schwan
Dad, how can I ever begin to continue this journey without you here to guide me, listen to me, hug me, show me how things are done and in a much better more efficient way, to help me with anything and to be there for the boys and I??? What I know is that you are always here in my Heart and all I have to do is think of you, whisper your name, “Dad” and feel your love come forth!! I will keep making you proud of me and I will love you…always & forever!
Chrissie
Rick Wandrych
My thoughts and prayers are with the Schwan family. Keep the memories close to your heart .
Dan & Michelle Sieczkowski
Our love and prayers go out to entire the Schwan Family. Many wonderful memories of our times together at St. Theresa’s and Gerard. You are in our thoughts and prayers
Frank and Sylvia Munoz and Family
Our heart felt prayers and condolence, Barbara and the entire Schwan family. I will always be thankful for having the opportunity to have worked for one of the best employers I have worked for. Much was learned and applied by the mentoring under the leadership of Tony and partners of A.V. Schwan and Associates. May God bless the Schwan family during this time of grief; and thank you for sharing with us all the good times with the Man; Tony, May his soul rest in peace.
George Wadding
My sons and I extend our sympathy to Tony’s family, who was one of my best business friends starting in 1965 when he was serving as the Project Manager for the Embassy building at 4h Avenue and McKinley which was being built by his older brother Joe. He was both helpful and respectful to me, a somewhat younger, less experienced construction industry member. We will miss him!
Brian Hellmann
Tony made a huge impact on me personally as the type of man to emulate in the way he lived his life keeping God, family and work in right relation. He was a great mentor. He was always there to help when needed and shared his wisdom with humility. I will truly miss him. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Tony rest in peace.
Jackie and Peter Labadie
Our deepest condolence to the Schwan Family. Mr. Schwan was a great example for us all. May he rest in peace.
Joyce & Patrick Hurley, Flagstaff, AZ
The world has lost a true gentleman.
Joyce and I remember Tony as one of the nicest human beings we have known.
I worked with Tony on several occasions and not only enjoyed his professional integrity but his open friendship.
We will always remember him fondly.
Scott Lewkowski
I worked for Tony in the mid-late 1980’s. Tony was an exceptional engineer and an even greater man. He taught me how to be an engineer and for that, I will always be grateful. I remember him sitting at my desk teaching a young engineer, me, how to do a lateral analysis. God Bless you Tony.