[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 154 (Tuesday, September 24, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING IAN PATRICK SCHWARBER, A TRUE SON OF AKRON, OH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 24, 2019

  Mr. RYAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, Ian Patrick 
Schwarber, who passed away on September 17, 2019. Ian was a loving 
husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend who devoted his life to 
creating a vibrant and prosperous community for the next generation.
   Ian was born on October 31, 1980, in Akron, Ohio to Donald and 
Patricia Schwarber. Ian attended St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary 
School and graduated from Archbishop Hoban High School. During his time 
at Hoban, Ian was a multi-sport athlete, lettering in both football and 
baseball. Ian was involved in a severe accident that damaged his leg 
and left him bedridden for nearly a year. Ian's strong faith and his 
perseverance--two of his most defining characteristics--brought him 
through this time and would ultimately guide the course of his life.
   Upon graduation from Hoban, Ian left Akron to attend the University 
of Charleston where his passion for music and songwriting manifested 
itself into his band Blue Flashing Light. Along with his brother, 
Joshua, and his bandmates, Ian shared his talent and gifts with the 
world. Ian would later return to his hometown to finish college and 
earn his master's degree in Applied Politics from the University of 
Akron. Anyone who knew Ian recognized his brilliant light and his 
unwavering commitment to serving others. Whether it was his involvement 
with community nonprofit organizations like Project Learn Summit County 
and the Autism Society of Greater Akron, or to broader issues like 
expanding STEM opportunities to underserved youth and entrepreneurship, 
Ian gave one thousand percent of his time, energy, and talent.
   Ian is most known for his entrepreneurial and innovative spirit that 
drove him into his next venture as the co-founder of the University of 
Akron's EXL Center, an initiative designed to help students emerge as 
civically-engaged, adaptable leaders, ready to join in the enterprise 
of building strong and sustainable communities. After launching the EXL 
center, Ian transitioned into the IT landscape, becoming the Chief 
Strategy Officer and a co-owner of DriveIT, a Tech-centric adult 
training center. Ian would later become Executive Vice President and 
Chief Strategy Officer at Akron-based IT services company CenterLink 
Technologies. Aside from his professional contributions, Ian was most 
proud of the family he created with his wife, Mackenzie Justice. Their 
children, Mary Justice and Jack, were the most precious gifts in his 
life.
   Madam Speaker, Ian Schwarber was a true son of Akron. He was 
relentless in the promotion of any effort to amplify Akron and was a 
wellspring of ideas to move the community forward. Ian was willing to 
work with anyone to see a dream grow wings and take flight. May we all 
redouble our own efforts to love and serve others the way Ian so 
generously did during his life.

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