Robert "Bob" Dean Schwob

Former Gardnerville businessman Robert "Bob" Dean Schwob, died April 9, 2009, at his home in Borrego Springs, Calif.

Born May 7, 1923, to Thelma Warren and Carl E. Schwob in Ames, Iowa, he spent his childhood in Springfield, Ill.

Mr. Schwob attended high school in LaGrange, Ill., and graduated from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., class of 1949, with a bachelors degree in civil engineering.

He joined the Naval Air Force in 1943 and got his wings in 1944. He flew PB4Y2's and was preparing for reconnaissance from the Aleutian Islands when the war ended.

He married Nancy Mae Cooley on Oct. 22, 1944, in LaGrange in a double wedding with Nancy's sister, Patricia Ann Cooley, to Lake Kissick. They went on to have three children.

Mr. Schwob worked briefly for the state of Iowa in sanitary engineering. He joined Reliable Electric in Franklin Park, Ill., where he worked for 15 years becoming vice president.

He was subsequently employed by the Seng Co. of Chicago; Hawley Products of St. Charles, Ill., and Precision Components Inc., in Addison, Ill.

The Schwobs moved to Gardnerville in 1979, where he owned and operated the Coast to Coast store for 11 years.

He retired in 1990 and lived in Borrego Springs for the last 15 years.

Mr. Schwob was an astute businessman and an avid golfer and sportsman. Family and friends were always most important to him.

He was preceded in death by his son Thomas Warren Schwob, in 2001, and brother Carl "Duff" Schwob in 2000.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Nancy; son Tim of Bristol, Tenn.; daughter Kay of Gardnerville; brother Charles, of Goodyear, Ariz.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Crossroads Medical Mission, P.O. Box 16852, Bristol, VA 24209, in his name.