Hugo William "Bill" Schwabe

Bill Schwabe passed away at home in Newberg, Oregon the afternoon of October 12, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. The first child of Wilhelm and Johanna (Hermann) Schwabe, Bill was born in Vilnius, Lithuania November 20, 1922. As a baby, Bill immigrated from Germany to the United States with his mother aboard the SS Manchuria, arriving at Ellis Island October 2, 1923. They soon joined his father who worked in the coal mines of Dawson, New Mexico. After graduation from Dawson High School, Bill attended machinist school, moving to Bremerton, Washington to work in the shipyards. At the beginning of WWII he volunteered for the Army Air Force where his clarinet talents were discovered and he served in the band. Bill was sent to Europe where he was on the General’s administrative staff. First stationed in England, then France, Bill witnessed the liberation of Paris. After the war Bill returned to the states, joining his mother and brother in Silverton, Oregon. Bill attended Oregon State College and Oregon College of Education, earning his bachelors degree in Education. In 1954 Bill completed his masters degree in Elementary Education and Administration at University of Oregon. During an education seminar, Bill met and fell in love with Gwen Stilwell, a Special Education Teacher. They were soon engaged and married June 3, 1954 at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church, Portland, Oregon. Bill began teaching in Amity, Oregon and finished his 34 year career in education as principal of Dundee Elementary School in 1982. A proud and loving husband and father, Bill’s greatest joy was spending time with his family. He enjoyed camping trips, gardening, and playing golf – including a hole-in-one on the 7th hole at Woodburn Golf Course. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and brother Eric. Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Gwen Schwabe, two daughters, Kathy (Greg) Smith of Canyon Country, California and Julie (Bob) Kipper of Corvallis, Oregon. Bill’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to his Providence Nurses, especially Sonya Burgess and Gretchen Prewitt, devoted caregivers DeVaughn McMillen, Kathryn Crawford and Rebecca Johnson, and Providence Hospice. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to The Salvation Army or Newberg Animal Shelter. Private interment was held at Valley View Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Newberg, Oregon Saturday November 20 at 2pm – on what would have been Bill’s 99th birthday. Arrangements by Attrell’s Funeral Chapel

Hugo William "Bill" Schwabe

November 20, 1922 - October 12, 2021