Obituary of Rev. Roger D. Schwartz

Age 86, died peacefully on March 8, 2023 at his Little Canada home while in hospice and the loving care of his family. He was preceded in death by his son, Bradley Schwartz. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jean, of 61 years; sister Delores Smith; daughter Lisa Morse (Merrill) and son Daniel Schwartz; Patty Schwartz Staglund; five grandchildren: Micah Morse, Michaela Morse, Ryan Schwartz (Taylor), Nathan Schwartz, Benjamin Schwartz; great-grandson, Henry Schwartz. Roger was born July 10, 1936 to Hulda and Theodore Schwartz in St. Paul, MN and grew up on St. Paul’s East Side. After graduating from Johnson High School, he served in the U.S. Army, earned a teaching degree from Augsburg College, and later his Master of Divinity from Northwestern/Luther Seminary (1969). Over the next 4 decades, he served as parish pastor to Minnesota parishes in Murdock (Calvary Lutheran and Bethesda Lutheran), Northeast Minneapolis (Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran), Oakdale (House of Prayer Lutheran) and Stillwater (St. Paul Lutheran). Roger and Jean have devoted their life together in service to others, actively engaged in living out their Christian faith in the local and global missions of their congregations and communities. Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church (1669 Arcade Street, St. Paul, MN) will host visitation on Friday, Mar 24 from 4-8PM and one hour prior to Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, Mar 25 at 2PM. A livestream link to the memorial service will be available on the church website. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to GA Church, APDA MN (Parkinson’s), or donor’s choice.