Obituary of William Francis Schweiker
William Francis Schweiker aged 78, of Morgantown passed away on March 21, 2018.
He was born July 5th, 1939 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late William Sr. and Marie Schweiker. He was also preceded in death by three older siblings, Robert, Maria and Sally. He is survived by his devoted wife MiYoung (Lee) Schweiker and two children, Krystal Paiva and Paul Paiva Jr.
In Philadelphia he attended Dobbins Vocational Technical School where he majored in radio and TV repair. Upon graduation as Valedictorian he won the trophy for outstanding athlete having won more varsity letters in more sports than anybody before or after him. He lettered in varsity football, varsity track as a pole-vaulter and varsity gymnastics. As a pole-vaulter he shared a city team record, as a gymnast he won an Athletic Grant in aid to West Virginia University which brought him to Morgantown in 1956 where he performed on the varsity gym team under coach Bill Bonsall for four years. Under Casey Wiedebush he danced with Orchesis for several seasons and also performed in several plays. He turned down a scholarship to study under Martha Graham in favor of completing his education. His interest in theater led him to be acquainted with such luminaries of the time as Arlene Dahl, Sammy Davis Junior and Louie Armstrong. He also was lucky enough to have met Martin Luther King Jr. With the exception of four years in Minneapolis where he earned his Masters degree and Ph.D. in sociology he resided in Morgantown ever since 1957.
At the University of Minnesota he was appointed as a Research Assistant to Gregory P. Stone, George Vold, and Lowry Nelson. He supplemented his assistantship with earnings from a business he started, restoring period antique furniture.
While a graduate student he did research and published in several refereed journals which made him a desirable candidate for membership in the Sociology Department at West Virginia University. He taught at WVU between 1967 and 1972 when he accepted a position at California University of Pennsylvania as a Social Psychology professor from which he retired after 37 years of service.
William continued to workout and stay fit all of his life. He was able to sprint four consecutive 100 yard dashes and as part of his routine he walked 50 yards on his hands until the day of his death. He enjoyed traveling with his darling wife, Miyoung, and together they went around the world: from Newfoundland to Key West and the Caribbean, to San Francisco, Alaska and Hawaii, Central America, Europe and Africa, he enjoyed meeting people and living, however briefly, the way they did. He was a traveler, not a tourist. This made him a better sociologist and a consummate teacher. Being an activist left winger, he was too controversial to win awards, but his students loved him and gave him many testimonials. According to his wife and many friends he was a loving, kind and giving person assured of a place in Heaven.
In keeping with his wishes, cremation services have been provided by Hastings Funeral Home. Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, on Thursday, March 29th from 5 PM until the time of the memorial service at 6 PM.
Online condolences may be made at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Francis
Schweiker 1939 2018.SOURCE
Death notice for the town of: Morgantown, state: WV