Ronald V. Schwartzburg

Ronald V. Schwartzburg, age 92, passed away on August 26, 2025.

A loving and devoted father, grandfather, “great-full” grandfather, and friend to all who crossed his path. Nothing brought him more joy than being surrounded by family, his adorable great-grandchildren, and friends. Born in 1933 to Marvelous Hansen and Robert Schwartzburg in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, on August 20th, 1933. He graduated from Wauwatosa High School in 1951 and worked at the family-owned Schwartzburg Chevrolet. He was drafted into the United States Army and served in Hamburg, Germany, from 1955–1957 in the 12th Battalion. He was honorably discharged in 1957 and is honored on the Serb Hall Armed Forces Wall.

He married his sweetheart, Sylvia Obradovich, on April 24th, 1960, at the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral. Furthering his career while working with Miller Brewing Company and Harley Davidson, he went back to college at the age of 30, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Marquette University in 1967. They welcomed one beautiful daughter, Susan, in May of 1966.

His passions were in architecture, golf, entertaining with libations, teaching, and traveling. Ronald’s career took their family to Houston in 1987, where he built their second homestead. He thrived for decades working with mainframe computers at American General in Houston and teaching people how to be independently wealthy—boy, did he love to teach! He was a natural-born leader and the most selfless person you’d meet.

He welcomed his granddaughter Amanda in 1987, who he helped raise and who became his best friend, and gained two wonderful grandsons, Jared and Jordan, in 2000. He became a great-grandfather in 2017 and 2021 with Amanda’s two children, Everly and Maverick, who were Papa’s greatest blessings.

Ronald did so many things well, but loving others and sharing laughter and kindness were at the top. His huge smile and sparkly blue eyes would light up any room. A true gentleman and role model, his legacy will live on forever through the generations to come.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia Schwartzburg, and mother, Marvelous Hansen. He leaves behind his daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Ralph Sammarco; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Amanda and Terry Loftin; grandsons, Jared and Jordan Sammarco; and great-grandchildren, Everly and Maverick Loftin—his “Golden Girl” and “Buddy Boy.”

Visitation from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM, with service at 12:30 PM, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin. Interment to follow at Good Hope Cemetery in Greenfield, Wisconsin.

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