James Schwab

James (Jim) Schwab
Jim was born on February 18, 1932 in St. Paul, MN to Frederick and Anna (Gibis) Schwab and passed away peacefully on September 15, 2025 surrounded by his family he so dearly loved at the VA Hospice Center. Jim was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

Jim was a proud 1949 graduate of St. Paul Monroe High School. He went on to work for Uncle Louie at his Gibis Service Station as a stock clerk, where his interest in cars began. In 1951, he entered the Air Force at the Fort Snelling 72nd Air Base Squadron. After serving, he attended the University of Minnesota.

Jim’s first job out of school was with the US Post Office. In 1956, a buddy from the old neighborhood asked Jim to join him at Univac. With his dedicated work ethic and personal touch, Jim found his niche within the nascent computer industry. This work brought Jim around the world, allowing him to build a network of friends across the US and from Europe to Asia. When the company landed a large, high-profile contract, they looked to Jim and his crew to install some of the first computers at NASA in Cape Canaveral. Jim eventually rose to Director of the Mendota Heights Reconditioning Center, leading over 200 employees and one of the most successful branches of the company.

Shortly after retiring from Unisys, a couple of Jim’s former employees started a new company, Asset Recovery in the Midway neighborhood and were looking for someone with broad industry expertise, many contacts, and was fun to work with: Jim! Jim said yes, with a few conditions (no suit, short days, and a full lunch break). Jim enjoyed working there well into his seventies.

Jim had many interests and hobbies: bowling, golf, watching NASCAR, the Vikings and Twins. He loved the Twins! Jim enjoyed fixing or repairing almost anything perfectly, dabbling in the stock market and making sure his yard was impeccable. Jim loved Bernie’s spaghetti, a good steak, White Castle burgers, pinwheel cookies and buttercreams. But his true passion was cars.

Jim loved everything about cars. With his friend Dick, Jim bought classic Thunderbirds, Mustangs, and Cougars. Together they worked the cars to perfect condition and sell them at auction in MN and AZ. They would then find another classic beauty to restore. Jim loved anything Ford.

Jim and his wife took many vacations together, including an Alaskan cruise, trips to Hawaii, Phoenix, Laughlin, Florida, and California to name a few. His favorite outings were with his family like the trip to Disney World, the cabin on Prior Lake, and to Lake Beltrami. All brought him much joy to see his family so happy.

Jim had a zest for life and loved the company of family and friends. In his younger days, he painted the town with his wife and friends. There was no stopping them. In more recent years, every Wednesday the Gang from Monroe would hang out and share stories at Cossettas, DeGidio’s, or Mancini’s. After Sunday mass, he and his family would meet for breakfast at Dunham’s Bar & Grill, where he was greeted with a big “Jim! How are ya?” They would share the week’s stories over pancakes. The group of friends and colleagues from Unisys would share stories and laughs a couple times each year at Mancini’s. Jim so looked forward to reminiscing and joking around about old times at work.

Jim met the love of his life, Bernice Melcher, in 1954. They married on June 20, 1959. They were blessed with 2 daughters, Lisa and Leslie. These girls were the apple of Jim’s eye. The family built a Christian life filled with an abundance of happiness and love. Leslie married Mike Tierney. They have 2 sons, James and Nolan, who became their Papa’s complete joy. Jim’s world was his family.

Jim was an honorable man, strong and proud, full of knowledge and care. Above all, Jim was a family man. At 11 years old, Jim lost his father and went to work after school setting pins at a local bowling alley for 25₵ per day. He handed his mom his earnings every day. He wanted to help others and made sure everyone he met felt seen and respected. Jim was a man of his word and lead by example. He was a great listener with a sincere, genuine heart filled with love. He was a proud husband, father, and papa.

Jim loved watching his grandsons’ baseball and basketball games. They were his true joy. He looked forward to picking them up from elementary school, and teaching them about manhood on the way to White Castle. The boys have followed in their papa’s footsteps by becoming amazing young men.

Always, no matter what, Jim was there for his girls. He always had a hug, a “love ya,” and doing anything he could to make their lives better. He was their protector and guardian. He was their hero! He was their daddy and they were Daddy’s little angels. They loved each other deeply. Bernie was his life’s love since they met 71 years ago. She made his heart light up. She was the one he lived for, his rock, his true endless love.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; siblings Doris (Bill) Pesek, Harry (Mary) Schwab, Rita (Chuck) Hughes, and Fred Schwab. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Bernice; daughters Lisa Schwab and Leslie (Mike) Tierney; grandsons James Tierney (Maya) and Nolan Tierney; sister-in-law Doris Schwab; and many nieces and nephews. On Tuesday September 30, the Church of Assumption St. Paul will host his visitation at 9am and funeral at 10am, with a luncheon immediately following.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the kind and professional staff at the VA Hospital and the VA Hospice Center. You showed grace and dignity at a time he needed it most.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Minneapolis VA Hospital or VA Hospice Center.