Ronald "Ron" T. Schwarz

Ronald “Ron” T. Schwarz, 67, Rockford, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 3, 2024, surrounded by family after a very courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.  He was diagnosed only months after his retirement in 2021.  

Ron was born December 29, 1956, in Bridgeport, CT, the son of Horst and Ingeborg  (Isenberg) Schwarz.  Ron received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from Purdue University in 1979.  

Ron met the love of his life during their first year at Purdue.  He knew Sandy was the real deal after their first date seeing Blazing Saddles on October 18, 1974.  They married on October 21, 1978, in West Lafayette, Indiana.

He began and retired from a 42-year career at Liberty Mutual.  Ron held many positions, including Loss Prevention Consultant, Assistant Loss Prevention Manager, Technical Director in Business Markets Loss Control, Program Manager – Training in Commercial Markets, Director of Training in Commercial Markets Learning Services.

Ron’s passion was his family.  He loved being outdoors, especially in Grand Marais, Michigan.   

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Sandy Slaga; his children, Caleb Slaga-Schwarz and Hannah (Peter) Ruef, all of Rockford; his precious granddaughter, Arya Margaret Ruef; his mother, Ingeborg Schwarz of Rockford; his sister-in-law, Jeanne Miller of Denver, CO; his brother-in-law, Edward (Kathy) Slaga of Minneapolis, MN; his niece Elisabeth Slaga of Minneapolis, MN, his nephews Tim (wife Stevie Rhiannon) Miller, Michael (wife Diane) Miller, Christoper Miller, all of Denver, CO; his great-nephews and great-niece, Aden, Ashton, Sean and Bella Miller; and his chocolate lab, Norma Jean. The family would like to thank the staff at Anam Care for their compassionate care and support through the day care program, the support group,  and their residential care of Ron during the last weeks of his life.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 6:00pm at Louie’s Tap House in Roscoe, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary (noahsarkanimals.org).  Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory assisted the family. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.