Quentin Schwarz

Quentin Peter Schwarz lived a full life and was passionate and committed to making the world a better place. He was born on January 7, 1936. He was the youngest of four children born to Joseph and Adelaide (née Ball) Schwarz in Waukegan, Illinois. He graduated from Waukegan Township High School in 1953. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wabash College and a master’s degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University. On the same day that he graduated from college, Quentin married the first love of his life, Deanna J. Palm. They moved back to Waukegan where they raised their four children. They enjoyed a beautiful life together, filled with family, social, and civic engagements until Deanna’s passing in 1991. In his own words, he was “blessed a second time” when he met and married Rebecca J. Daehler in July of 2000. Together and with friends they enjoyed operas, symphonies, and foreign films. They also enjoyed traveling with family to places across the globe.
Quentin’s greatest passion was sailing. He started sailing as a very young boy in the Waukegan Harbor and became a skilled and competitive sailboat racer. He was a lifetime member of the Waukegan Yacht Club and served as Commodore in 1986. He was very involved in the junior and adult sailing programs at the yacht club. He also enjoyed many seasons of “Frostbite Sailing” in the frigid Waukegan Harbor waters. He exemplified the epitome of good sportsmanship and was greatly admired and respected by all of his fellow sailors. He ended his last sailing season with an overall first-place finish in his section.
After growing up in North Chicago, Quentin spent the remaining years of his life in Waukegan. He took great pride in his hometown and dedicated his time and talents to the community in numerous ways; most notably his 30 years of teaching in the Waukegan Public Schools. He helped found the Waukegan Historical Society in 1968. He was a big supporter of the arts, and served as president of The Jack Benny Center for the Arts. His love for choral music began in his college Glee Club. He then went on to sing with the Waukegan Symphony Chorus for 47 years. His tenor talents were also appreciated through his participation in the Christ Episcopal Church (Waukegan) and Church of the Holy Spirit (Lake Forest) choirs for many years. He was also active in many other ministries at Christ Church, including the vestry and men’s group.
Quentin was preceded in death by his first wife, Deanna (née Palm) Schwarz; his parents Joseph and Adelaide Schwarz, and his brothers Joe and David Schwarz.
He is survived by his second wife, Rebecca J. Schwarz; his sister, Margaret Schwarz Kraus, and his four children: Quentin G. Schwarz (Vicki); Julianna Schwarz McCormack
(Andy); Jamethon W. Schwarz (Lisa); Sally Schwarz Stephenson (Jim); and his stepdaughters: Jennifer Jones (Warren); Christina Wizceb (Jeff), and Deborah Davies (Ty).
Affectionately known as “Papa”, he is also survived by his grandchildren: Tristan Schwarz, Dustin Schwarz (Sarah), Austin Schwarz, Christopher McCormack (Mona); Matthew McCormack, Peter McCormack, Megan Schreuder (Jake); Deanna Stephenson, Madelyn Stephenson, Kate Stephenson, and Wesley Stephenson; Wesley Davies, Ceci Davies, Mike Wizceb (Meagan), Cade Wizceb, Bradley Wizceb, Emilia Wizceb, Griffin Jones, and Rhys Jones; and his seven great-grandchildren: Lauren Schwarz, Siella Schwarz, Sawyer Schwarz, Brennan McCormack, Declan McCormack, Aaron Wizceb and Isaac Wiczeb.
Quentin is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Quentin, Dad, Papa…we will miss you immensely. You were our family’s patriarch, our “rock”, and our go-to for words of wisdom and advice such as, “Do you need that, or do you want that?” Together, we embraced both joys and challenges with you ever by our side. Your “empty nest” was often filled again with kids and/or grandkids in need of transitional housing arrangements. The sign in your kitchen: “Papa & Becky’s Bed &, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner” created by your granddaughter, says it all.
Visitation will be on Friday, March 14 from 4 - 8 p.m. at Peterson & Patch Funeral Home at Sheridan Road, Waukegan, Illinois.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 22,2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 410 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, Illinois.
Donations in Quentin’s memory may be made to the Waukegan Yacht Club Youth Foundation and the Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie
“The sail, the play of its pulse so like our own lives:
so thin and yet so full of life,
So noiseless when it labours hardest,
So noisy and impatient when least effective.”
- Henry David Thoreau