Dieter Schwarz Obituary (1939 - 2025)

Dieter Wolfgang Schwarz, age 86, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away on August 18, 2025, after a year long battle with cancer. Dieter was born on January 21, 1939, in Heilbronn, Germany, to Emma Rau and Gustav Schwarz. The youngest of three boys, he quickly learned the competitive, ambitious spirit he carried throughout his life. He earned a bachelor's degree in Engineering from university in Esslingen, Germany, which laid the foundation for his successful 25+ year career in computer programming at the McKesson Corporation. On August 17, 1963, he married the love of his life, Anni Emma Wolpert, in their hometown. Together, they had three children, Michael, Isabella, and Peter, who were his greatest pride. Just after the birth of their second child in 1966, Dieter and Anni took a bold chance in immigrating to the United States, where they truly lived the American dream. Dieter worked tirelessly to build a good life for himself and his family; he started his life in the US in a tiny 800 square foot house in Albion, Michigan, and earned enough over his career to retire to a large, beautiful home with a stunning view of the mountains in the Saddlebrooke community in Tucson, Arizona, where he and Anni have lived since 1999. Dieter loved the outdoors and physical activity, particularly skiing, hiking, and golf. He enjoyed amateur photography and amassed an impressive collection of photographs of his children and grandchildren. He was a dedicated father and loving grandfather; he never missed his children's swim meets or performances even at the busiest times of his career, and he loved spoiling his grandkids with ice cream for dinner. He will be remembered for his dedication to excellence, his love of teasing and fun, and his insistence that you need enough cream cheese on a bagel to "see your teeth" in it. Behind the wheel, he proved that you can take the German off the Autobahn, but not the Autobahn out of the German. He was playful, determined, and intense, though this last was tempered by his love. In the last year of his life, Dieter came to Christian faith after a dream that changed his heart and was baptized on September 8, 2024, at Lifepoint Community Church — a profound moment for him and his family. During that final year, he fought his battle with cancer with courage and good humor. He is survived by his loving wife, Anni, of 62 years, as well as his three children, eight grandchildren, and newborn great-grandchild. A funeral service will be held at Lifepoint at 3137 E Everett Street in Tucson, on Saturday, August 30th, at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to his church, Lifepoint, via lifepointtucson.com/give. He will be deeply missed, and forever remembered for his strength of will and strength of love. A funeral service will be held at Lifepoint at 3137 E Everett Street in Tucson, on Saturday, August 30th, at 2:00 pm. To watch the service online, cut and paste the following into your browser. Lifepointtucson.com/private