Patrick Joseph Swartz

Pat Swartz passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at the age of 79. He was born on February 22, 1943, in Newton, Kansas, the youngest child of M.H. and Allene (nee Cochrane) Swartz.

On May 27, 1962, Pat married his high school sweetheart, Dorla Spatz, at the United Methodist Church in Emporia, Kansas. She preceded him in death on June 16, 2001.

He is survived by his daughter, Nancy (Mark) Hildreth; adored grandchildren, Zach, A.J., and Elizabeth Hildreth; beloved companion, Susan Roberts, and her daughter, Jenny Roberts; sister, Mary Lou Gray; and brother, Mike Swartz.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorla Spatz Swartz; sister, Sue Ball; and brother, Bill Swartz.

Pat graduated from Emporia High School and Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University). He was a lifelong educator, shaping young people's lives in both a teacher and principal role during his career.

He proudly served his country in Vietnam with the 90th Attack Squadron, United States Air Force, and was enlisted from March 1966 until December 1969.

During the course of Pat and Dorla's marriage they lived in many different locations, but the biggest move was abroad to Australia. Never one to pass up an adventure, Pat moved his family to the small town of Richmond, New South Wales, in 1974, and they stayed until 1976. This was made possible by a program with Emporia State University to provide teachers to New South Wales during a teacher shortage. Lifelong friendships were made and living "down under" was a high point in Pat's life.

During retirement Pat enjoyed spending time with friends at Homer's Coffee House, walking miles of trails at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens with Susan, and fishing with friends on his pontoon at Clinton Lake.

Pat passed down his love of golf and fishing to his grandsons, Zach and A.J. Many golf clubs, golf shoes, fishing poles and tackle boxes exchanged hands over the years. While Grandpa Pat's love of outdoor landscaping was not passed down intact, his grandsons nonetheless answered his requests to work in the yard, building many rock and flowerbed projects.

Pat's granddaughter, Liz, held a special place in his heart. During the last months of his life she would visit him and put her skills learned in physical therapy classes to use, stretching her grandpa's limbs and providing a brief respite from the painful symptoms of ALS.

The family wishes to thank Ascend Hospice and Senior Care Homes for their compassionate care.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Lincoln Cemetery in Lebo, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Pat's memory may be made to Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens: Friends of the Arboretum, P.O. Box 26392, Overland Park, KS 66225.