[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 29, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF ROBERT J. SCHWANZL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 2020

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker. I rise today to remember the life of 
Robert Schwanzl who had a distinguished career and was an outstanding 
Ohioan. He dedicated his adult life to protecting and serving his 
community and nation.
  Bob was born and raised in the Toledo area. He attended Central 
Catholic High School, where he decided to join the Army after 
graduation. He started as a sergeant in the U.S. Army, working in 
intelligence during the Korean War. Upon returning to Toledo, he served 
at the Toledo Fire Department for 40 years before retiring in 1998.
  Working at the fire department was a source of pride for Bob, saying 
``it's not work if you love what you do''. He worked his way to Fire 
Chief in 1994, where he proudly took on major responsibilities for his 
community. He oversaw the first female firefighters complete their 
training and supported the creation of the Toledo Fire Department's 
water rescue unit. After his graduation from Owens Tech with a degree 
in their inaugural Fire Science class. he worked as a fire science 
instructor at Owens for fifteen years.
  Above all his love for his family exceeded all other passions. He and 
his wife Carolyn spent 53 years together and had four children together 
and later sixteen grandchildren. Late in his career and through 
retirement, Bob became highly involved with the Toledo Firefighters 
Museum, and served as its President since 1993. His family and extended 
family enjoyed trips to the Museum, listening to Bob explain the 
exhibits with enthusiasm and pride. This was especially true when he 
and the other volunteers were able to locate a new artifact from other 
museums or private owners. Bob also became deeply involved in his 
church, St. Joe's of Maumee. He was a frequent lector and usher and an 
active member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight in 
2016.
  He also enjoyed traveling, whether it was to visit his children and 
grandchildren or to visit Ireland, where at 85 years old he kissed the 
Blarney Stone, or Rome, where Bob was able to see the Pope for a second 
time in his life.
  Bob will be remembered for his love and commitment to his nation 
community, family, friends, and colleagues. He was a man of integrity 
and an inspiration to countless people throughout his life, 
demonstrating humility and kindness always. Whether heroically 
commanding a scene, teaching a class or telling a story, Bob had a 
commanding voice that cannot be forgotten. He will be remembered 
admirably by our community. Chief Schwanzl assumed the awesome 
responsibility of leading one of the largest Fire Divisions in Ohio and 
ably served for four decades. His dutiful works for the city of Toledo 
built a finer city and place him in the ranks of citizens who become a 
father for all of Toledo. May the angels raise him to a place of peace 
and comfort which he has richly earned.

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