Walter Edward “Ed’ Schwab, age 60, of Hays, Kansas, passed away Monday, January 24, 2022, at Hays Medical Center. He was born November 22, 1961, in Oberlin, Kansas, to Walter Eugene and Linda (Ayers) Schwab.
Ed grew up on his grandparent’s farm south of Oberlin. Growing up, he loved working on the farm and helping his grandparents Irene and Lowell Ayers. Ed was baptized and confirmed at Lund Covenant Church, and attended Decatur Community High School, graduating with the class of 1980. While in School, he participated in 4-H, winning several state awards and trips for wheat production. During his junior year, he achieved his private pilot’s license, a passion he loved and would continue to use until his passing.
Ed continued his education at Fort Hays State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Agri-Business. While in college, he joined the Gamma Omicron chapter of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. After graduating college, he worked for several local cooperatives, and assisted his parents with their sewing machine repair business.
Ed was employed at RANS Inc. for 28 years, where he was able to combine his passion of airplanes and flying with his career, holding multiple positions throughout the company. He loved helping customers with tech work, flying to air shows, working with the designs, and especially taking his wife and family up for airplane rides when time permitted. When he wasn’t working, Ed loved spending time with his wife whom he met in 2003, their 3 boys, and especially the 3 best grandchildren ever.
On June 4, 2005, Ed married Rachelle Marie Long at Zion Lutheran Church south of WaKeeney, gaining and raising 3 young sons. He was a wonderful husband, father, and Papa. Ed was a very sweet, kind, and caring man, who would help anyone. 7 years ago, his first grandson came, making him a very proud Papa, a feeling that would continue when his second grandson and his granddaughter were born. He was the best Papa ever. Ed was also a great son, brother, uncle, and friend. He was loved by just about everyone that knew him.
Ed was preceded in death by his father, Walter Schwab; grandparents Lowell and Irene Ayers and Emanuel and Bernice Schwab; uncles Bill and Robert Schwab; and Aunt Janeil Jenson.
Ed is survived by his wife Rachelle Schwab, of the family home; sons Bradley, Allen, and Kadon Augustine, all of Glen Elder, Kansas; grandchildren Bramdon, Maverik, and Brayleigh, also of Glen Elder; mother-in-law Janice Fabrizius of Kansas City; father- in-law Cecil (Gloria) Long of Lawton, Oklahoma; and a sister-in-law of Clay Center. Ed is also survived by his mother Linda Schwab of Hays; sisters Shirley (Delvin) Bader of Codell, Kansas, Alice (Clayton) Hunt of Wimauma, Florida, and Kelsey Schwab and fiancé Jessie of Trenton, Nebraska; brother Kevin Schwab of McCook, Nebraska; as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 PM, Saturday, January 29, 2022, at Zion Lutheran Church in Trego Center, Kansas.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 29, 2022, at Zion Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jon Anderson officiation. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com