CAREFREE TRUTH
Carefree Truth #476
Carefree Truth
Issue #476, April 8, 2016
Most of you know by now that former Carefree Mayor David Schwan succumbed to ALS at 10:20 PM on April 6th. The many press releases are noting his plethora of community services. Mine will be of a personal nature, but will include these videos and photos of the 2015 Spirit of Carefree award he received at his Appreciation Party at the Carefree Resort, https://vimeo.com/121978053
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
and his 2016 Foothills Caring Corps Humanitarian of the Year Award. As David was housebound by this time, and unable to attend the FCC event held this month, Herbert filmed this video of Debbra Determan and David speaking at the Schwan's home in March. https://vimeo.com/152936548
David Schwan was my friend of almost 20 years. I love David and Binka dearly. My heart, and the hearts of many others, are broken that this has happened to 2 of the most wonderful people on the planet. He and Binka would have been married for 34 years on April 24th. They were truly in love. He was Binka's best friend. It was as hard, if not harder, for Binka to witness the rapid deterioration of her adored husband in a little over a year, from the time of his diagnosis until the time of his death, as it was for David to bear his own decline.
David handled his illness with his typical "David" grace and dignity, as well as with his wry sense of humor, all of which he maintained until the end. It was Herbert's and my "job" to make them laugh, so when we were around them, well, the grace and dignity part pretty much went out the window. But laughter is good medicine too. David was never one to take himself too seriously.
Photo submitted by Bev Peterson
David was a stickler for detail and thoroughness, and read everything at least twice before signing anything. He would not sign anything that was incomplete. In 2014, I asked him to sign a blank Town of Carefree tax deductible form that had just been printed out for me at Town Hall. I was headed to our accountant with our taxes, and we were writing off Christmas music that we had purchased to go with the videos Herbert had put together with his photos of the Carefree Christmas Festival. I had planned to fill out the form at the accountant's office. David, although he knew about the music and the videos, informed me that he couldn't sign it because it was blank. I had to fill it out first. I teased him about that for a looong time. He remained unfazed, repeating that he didn't sign anything that was blank for anybody, not even for his undoubtedly honest friends. His sense of ethics, his moral compass, was beyond reproach, and everyone was treated equally.
He was also the guy who checked not only the oil, but also the tire pressure on their cars on a weekly basis. And, yes, I teased him about that too. When he was no longer physically able to check the oil and tire pressure, he gave those assignments to Binka. She told him she would check the tires, but she wasn't doing anything related to oil!
A lifelong animal lover, David's license plate read "2 Arfs" a reference to their 2 dogs. Their annual Christmas card always included the fur kids. They both volunteered at animal rescue organizations, and their 2 dogs were always rescues. Even at his sickest, he made sure when friends came to visit, or health care workers came and went, that before the door was closed, both dogs were safe inside the house.
A very bright man, he was the Gold Standard for decency, honesty, and kindness. As Mayor, he personally answered every email he received, striving to address questions and concerns with the utmost respect for the sender. His mind remained sharp until the his death, and his love of the Town of Carefree never waned. He always enjoyed the frequent visits and phone calls from Mayor Les Peterson, Vice Mayor John Crane, Town Administrator Gary Neiss, and Town Clerk Kandace French; and he looked forward to phone calls and visits from me, reporting immediately on what happened at each Council meeting.
David and Binka at the 2014 Carefree Veteran's Day Event
Photo by John Crane
When David received his diagnosis, he was determined to use the time he had left to increase awareness of ALS. He and Binka signed up with the Arizona Chapter of the ALS Association, which Binka said provided invaluable services and support to them during his illness. They became involved with the AZ ALS Scottsdale Walk fundraiser in October, and all their combined fundraising efforts went towards the "David's Carefree Sole Mates" AZ ALS team.
At the Scottsdale AZ ALS Walk fundraiser
Submitted by Binka Schwan
Binka and I both took the Ice Bucket Challenge, which David found hilarious, hmmmm.... I dumped the ice bucket over her head in early September (hot and sunny),
Photos by Herbert Hitchon
then decided to join her. To give that fundraising effort some time, my ice bucket came in late October, when Binka returned the "favor". I was hoping for a hot sunny day too. What I got was a cool, cloudy one. I told David that he had waaaay too much fun.
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
See Binka's Ice Bucket Challenge video: https://vimeo.com/138495532, and mine: https://vimeo.com/142761846. Brrrrr!
Alberto Ristorante in Carefree hosted a fundraising Italian wine tasting/Italian food buffet in November, for which Alberto got his distributors to donate wines and for which he provided an endless flow of his fabulous food free of charge. The tickets sold for $50 per person, and all the money from that well attended event went to AZ ALS. That was David's last public social outing. See the slide show with the photos from that fun evening below:
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
Binka later presented Alberto with a plaque of appreciation for his kindness.
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
"David's Carefree Sole Mates" team raised a total of $34,038 for ALS research and support services, the 3rd top fundraising team in Scottsdale. Binka sends her sincere thanks to all those who participated in any way.
Herbert and I offer our most sincere condolences to Binka, and to David's sister and brother-in-law, Anita and Bernie Schwartz. Anita and Bernie made numerous short trips out here from suburban Philadelphia to visit with David and Binka during his illness, and they were delighted to see them, despite the circumstances.
This is a picture of David and Binka, taken on David's last day.
Photo submitted by Binka Schwan
David's memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 16th, 10 AM, at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, 34605 N. Scottsdale Road (corner of Carefree Highway and Scottsdale Road). In lieu of flowers, Binka requests that contributions be sent in David’s memory to: ALS Association – Arizona Chapter, 360 E Coronado Road – Suite 140, Phoenix, AZ 85004, 602-297-3800 or info@alsaz.org.
May your spirit be cruising, David.
Photo by Binka Schwan
"The only certain means of success is to render more and better service than is expected of you, no matter what your task may be." - Og Mandino
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
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