grave import

Obituary

Roberta Brown Schweizer, 87, of Burlington, Iowa, passed peacefully among family on January 7, 2010. Known affectionately to most as Robin, she was born in Newton, Massachusetts, September 28, 1922, to mother, Eleanor Bailey Brown, of Washington, Iowa, and father, Robert Longfellow Brown, of Wellesley, Massachusetts. Throughout her childhood and young adulthood, Robin spent time with family in both Iowa and Massachusetts, building close ties to both the east coast and the mid-west plains of the United States. Robin graduated from Burlington High School in June 1941. Directly after high school, she attended Chamberlain School in Boston, studying merchandising. Following her schooling, Robin worked as a women's sportswear buyer at Filene's in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and then moved to R. H. Macy, in New York City, where she was the men's accessories buyer. While in New York, Robin was offered a Hollywood motion picture contract by Paramount Studios, and also a contract to play summer stock in Massachusetts on Cape Cod. She accepted neither offer. She was also given a mention by Walter Winchell, a well-known syndicated columnist and radio commentator in New York. At the time, her passion was with merchandising, and she continued her career at Macy's until the summer of 1943. Robin Schweizer was a person of service to her family, community, church, and nation. She served in various capacities in all of these roles. In December of 1943, Robin joined the WAVES in the U.S. Navy. She completed her boot training at Hunter College in New York. From there, she took further training at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, graduating H.A. 1st Class. Her first station was as surgical assistant in the Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat department of Chelsea Naval Hospital in Boston. From there she transferred to the surgical division of the Naval Medical Dispensary for Navy dependents in Miami Beach, Florida. She was honorably discharged in the spring of 1945, and she returned to Iowa. On March 26, 1947, Robin married Ralph George Schweizer, of Burlington, Iowa. They were married in Cambridge, Illinois. Robin and Ralph resided in Burlington for the 53 years of their marriage together. They raised four children, Steven Lawrence, Heidi, Shelley and Eric Leigh. Robin valued education, and worked tirelessly in her community to build strong and responsible schools. She served as president of the Parent Teacher Association at Sunnyside Elementary School. She also ran for the Burlington School Board. Robin's Protestant Episcopalian Christian faith was of deep importance to her. She was an active member of Christ episcopal Church in Burlington, Iowa, since 1933. At the time of passing, she was one of the oldest members of the church, and was serving as Lector for the early service. At various times during her 76-year membership in the church, she served as Sunday School co-superintendent, taught Sunday school, worked for several years as secretary to the minister, was a member and director of the Altar Guild, and served as an officer of the Episcopal Church Women. She will be dearly missed by her church community. Robin loved the arts, music in particular. In 1952, she was co-founder of the Southeast Iowa Symphony. In the early days, the symphony practiced in the ballroom on the third floor of Burton Prugh's north hill home, before securing a permanent home at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Robin was first president of the Symphony Women's Association, which later became known as Friends of the Symphony. Robin was Officer of Auxiliary of the King's Daughters' Home, an organization which later became the Fine Arts League. She also served as a Southeast Iowa correspondent for the Des Moines Register, wrote for the Burlington Hawk Eye, and was a member of the Friends of the Library. Robin was chosen runner up in the first election of Outstanding Young Woman of Burlington for participation in civic and church activities. Robin and her sister, Nancy Brown Wooten, have completed a proved genealogical history, "A Family History, 1620," and are twelfth generation descendants of five passengers on the May flower. Robin was an avid bird watcher, amateur mycologist, and wildflower enthusiast. She shared her love for nature with her children and grandchildren. She was a loving and devoted mother, spouse and friend. A life well lived is a life that leaves the world a better, more humane, and more loving place than before. Robin has done just that. And because of that, she will be missed by all. Robin is survived by two half-brothers, Robert Longfellow Brown of Skaneateles, New York, and Dr. Bruce Scott Brown of Pittsford, New York; her four children, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and her dear friend, Robert Olson. Friends may call from 12 to 5 p.m. today at Prugh's Funeral Home. The funeral celebration for Roberta Brown Schweizer will be on Monday, January 11, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. A musical prelude will begin at 10:40. The family will welcome friends in the chapel sanctuary of Christ Episcopal Church before the service on Monday from 9:30 to 11:00. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, 601 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641.