Gary Charles Schwartz

Gary C Schwartz of Oregon City, Oregon, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2025 at Providence Portland Medical Center with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law by his side. 

Complications from the combination of years of heart disease and kidney failure, and most recently Myasthenia Gravis, were finally more than his earthly body could sustain.  He was 77 years old.

Gary was born on December 1, 1947 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the son of the late Carl J. and Alice (Dorn) Schwartz.   He grew up in Marytown, Wisconsin and New Holstein, Wisconsin and graduated from St. Gregory High School in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin in 1965.  He joined the U.S.M.C. on July 20, 1966 and was deployed to Vietnam in January 1967. In September of 1968, the Jeep he was riding in hit an unexploded Napalm bomb and Gary sustained  2nd and 3rd degree burns on nearly half his body.  After recovering from his injuries, he was stationed in San Antonio, TX and Quantico, VA until his honorable discharge in December 1969.  During his service to America, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and Combat Action Ribbon. He accepted each of those with humility and without fanfare.  

During Gary’s leave between his first and second deployments to Vietnam, he met the future love of his life, Arleen Ludwig of  Chilton, Wisconsin  at the Redwood Bar, halfway between their two hometowns.  Gary and Arleen continued to build on their connection as penpals, and their relationship blossomed into a lifetime commitment to each other with their marriage on July 4, 1970.  They were 18 days shy of celebrating their 55th anniversary when Gary passed.  Arleen and Gary were blessed with 2 wonderful children - A son, the late John Schwartz of Dallas,TX, and a daughter, Aimee (Mark) Tipperreiter of Portland, OR.   

During their married life, they lived in Des Plaines, IL; Spring, TX; and Shawano, WI. In 2014, they moved to northwestern Oregon to be close to their daughter and son-in-law.

Professionally, Gary distinguished himself during his career in sales, operations and customer service as reliable and hard working. He found employment in a diversity of industries, and most enjoyed serving the travel industry at Ozark Airlines, Pan American Airways, American Express Travel, Atlas/Navigant Travel, and Adelman Travel.

Gary is survived by his wife Arleen, daughter Aimee, son-in-law Mark,  brother Ron (Julie) of Sheboygan Falls,WI,  brothers-in-law Don (Dianne) Ludwig of Hortonville, WI,  Mike Ludwig of Chilton, WI  and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends  as well as his beloved dogs RooBe and Mongo, and cat Henry II.  Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Alice, and son John.

A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at Resurrection Parish in Tualatin, OR. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following organizations:

• The American Heart Association

• The American Kidney Fund

• The Semper Fi Fund 

• The Myasthenia Foundation of America 

The family would like to thank the staff in the Critical Care Unit at Providence Portland Medical Center for their empathetic care during Gary’s last days, as well as the staff at Fresenius Hilltop Dialysis Clinic in Oregon City for their kindness during the extensive care that Gary received, which sustained him for the last 10 1/2 years of his life.

Remember Gary as a young adventurous boy unafraid to explore the world around him. Remember him as a dutiful and selfless young soldier who twice fought for his country in Vietnam, despite the risks to himself.  Remember him as a faithful husband and loving father.  Remember him as a cargo and rate agent who was dedicated and hard working.  Remember him as loving, humble, honest and stoic despite a lifetime of personal and familial physical adversity.  Recall his easy laugh, reflect on his sharp sense of humor, and remember the twinkle in his eyes when he smiled.   Gary lived his life honorably, authentically and unapologetically, in accordance with God’s plan. He accepted his fate with courage and without complaint.  His character engendered  a genuine connection with those who met him, and he is sorely missed.