David Allen Schweinsberg

David Allen Schweinsberg (Dave), our loving husband, father, and grandpa, passed away early Sunday morning, July 12, at MyMichigan Medical Center in Midland. Dave was born on April 3, 1943 to Phillip W. and Bernice M. (DuFord) Schweinsberg in Bay City and resided here his entire life.

Dave is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elaine, his children, Christie (Richard) Truett of Berkley, Michigan; Tony (Erin) Schweinsberg of San Diego, California; and Holly (Craig) Walker of Sanford, Michigan, as well as his five grandchildren: Paige and Savvy Schweinsberg, and Weston, Max, and Josie Walker. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Patricia Swank; his lifelong friends Walter Szczepanski, Charles Bradfield, and Ronald Gobeski, along with many nieces and one nephew.

Elaine met Dave when he was 15 years old and playing summer baseball for the Kiwanis Club. In 1960, his Kiwanis Club team won the American Legion Baseball State Championship, and in 2012 was inducted into the Bay County Sports Hall of Fame. In addition to baseball, Dave also enjoyed playing football and basketball for T.L. Handy High School, graduating in 1961. After high school, he served in the Army Reserves and began a career at GM Steering Gear/Delphi, where he worked until his retirement.

Dave passed on his love for baseball to his children and later coached Tony’s Little League and Pony League teams, and more recently found great joy watching his grandchildren participate in many sports.

Dave loved his family with everything he had. The greatest joy of his later years was the time he spent with his grandchildren—whether watching them at his home or while visiting them in California. He had the patience of a saint, always offering open arms to hold them, or a soft shoulder to lay their heads on. He spent countless days playing with them on the floor, taking them on buggy and tractor rides around his yard, or pushing them in the swing. As both a father and grandfather, he rarely said no. His children and grandchildren will forever carry the memories of their dad’s / Papa’s love, laughter, and support.

Dave also had a special place in his heart for animals throughout his life, especially his beloved dog Koko, and his granddogs, Nala and Cooper.

Dave took great pride in caring for the home he and Elaine built together in 1976. For nearly five decades, he meticulously maintained the yard and cared for their property—even just weeks before his passing, despite his illness.

Preceding Dave in death were his parents; his brother, Philip Gary Schweinsberg; his in-laws, Arthur and Isabel Roozenburg; his brothers-in-law, Thomas Roozenburg, and Jack Swank; and his nephew, Mark Swank.

Dave will always be loved and remembered by his family, and all those he knew as a great guy and friend.

Arrangements are being handled by Gephart Funeral Home in Bay City. No service is currently planned. The family may schedule a Celebration of Life at a later time. For anyone who wishes to make a memorial donation in Dave’s name, the family suggests the Bay County Animal Shelter, the American Cancer Society, Bay City Southwest Little League, or the Tony & Trish House.

Successful is the person who has lived well, laughed often and loved much, who has gained the respect of children, who leaves the world better than they found it, who has never lacked appreciation for the earth’s beauty, who never fails to look for the best in others or give the best of themselves. Ralph Waldo Emerson