Fredrick Martin Schweigart

Fredrick Martin “Fritz” Schweigart was born March 16, 1939 in Albion, Nebraska. The son of John and Margaret (Quinn) Schweigart, Fritz grew up in Omaha, but spent his summers on his grandparent’s farm in Albion. He attended St. Peters grade school and went on to graduate from Omaha Tech High School in 1958. Following his high school graduation, Fritz was enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served two years active duty. He was honorably discharged in September 1960 with the rank of Seaman. After his tour of duty in the Navy, Fritz worked as a carpet salesman. He traveled throughout the Midwest, and also worked for Mrs. B at the Nebraska Furniture Mart. While working at the Furniture Mart, he met the woman who would become his wife. Fritz married Marilyn Janet Anderson-Andrews on August 19, 1966 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and to this union, a son was born, J. Bradley. Fritz, Marilyn, Bradley, and Marilyn’s son, Doug Andrews lived in Indiana, Colorado, and Ohio, before settling in Omaha in 1970. Fritz also worked for several years as a Locomotive Engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad. Most of his routes were through central Nebraska, and the boys enjoyed riding with him when they could. Fritz was very active with the P.E.E.R. group through the railroad, which was a support group for railroad employees who experienced on the job accidents. He retired from U.P. in 2000. Fritz enjoyed skiing, hunting, trips to the casino with Marilyn, and even took up fishing in his later years, but his biggest hobby and true passion was for cars. He could often times be found tinkering on old cars, and loved nothing more than to buy a car, fix it up, sell it, and start over again. Fritz had great people skills. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, and he was always there to lend a helping hand to a friend in need. Fritz passed away on March 28, 2009 at the Papillion Manor in Papillion, Nebraska after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and a brief battle with cancer at the age of 70 years and 12 days. He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, mother Margaret Quinn Schweigart, father John Schweigart, uncles Martin and Delbert Quinn, and Aunt Dorothy Quinn. Fritz is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law; Bradley and Brenda Schweigart of Omaha, and Douglas and Charity Andrews of Omaha, grandchildren; Tatum Andrews-Vanderlick, Jessica Andrews, Myles Schweigart and Emma Schweigart, great grandson Peyton James Vanderlick, sister-in-law Caroline Anderson, uncles; Wayne, Jake, and Jody Quinn, aunts; Velda Wellman and Vida McWhirt, and special family friend Jeff Braack.

Fredrick Martin Schweigart

March 16, 1939 - March 28, 2009