ALCGPSC 119/17 - DEATH OF A RETIRED FLAG OFFICER

03 OCT 2017
ALCGPSC 119/17
SUBJ:  DEATH OF A RETIRED FLAG OFFICER
A.  USCG Regulations, COMDTINST M5000.3 (series)
1.  It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Rear Admiral William Sheldon 
Schwob, USCG (retired), who passed away on Wednesday, 20 September 2017 in 
Clearwater, FL at the age of 90.
2.  RADM Schwob was born on March 15, 1927, in Buffalo, N.Y. where he graduated 
from Lafayette High School in 1944.  After graduating from Hilder Prep School in 
Washington, D.C., in 1945, he entered the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, 
Conn., with an appointment of a cadet. He was graduated with Bachelor of Science 
Degree in Engineering and with a commission as an Ensign on June 3, 1949.
His earliest assignments included duty as Deck Watch Officer first in the USCGC 
TAMAROA (WATF-166) and the USCGC ROCKAWAY (WHEC-377), both at the 
Third Coast Guard District office at New York. Next he served as Executive Officer of 
the USCGC AGASSIZ (WSC-126) out of Morehead City, N.C. He then commanded the 
newly built 95-ft.-patrol cutter USCGC CAPE UPRIGHT (WPB-95303) out of Norfolk, 
Va.  From July 1954 to July 1955, he was assigned as a student in Communications at the 
USN Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, and from there he was assigned as Chief, 
Communications Branch, Fifth Coast Guard District, Norfolk, VA.
He then served as Executive Officer of the tender USCGC TUPELO (WLB-303) in the 
Great Lakes out of Toledo, Ohio. During his next tour of duty he was stationed at San 
Francisco as Chief, Communications Branch in the Coast Guard District office and then 
took command of the USCGC CHEROKEE (WMEC-165), based at Norfolk, VA. In 
July 1967, he reported at Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C., for duty as Asst. 
Chief, Officer Personnel Division.
From May 1971 to July 1972, he commanded the polar icebreaker USCGC 
SOUTHWIND (WAGB-280), based at Baltimore, MD.  While supporting the Antarctic   
“Operation Deep Freeze 1972” mission, a mountain peak in Marie Byrd Land area was 
named "Schwob Peak." 
After a year of student work, he was graduated from the National War College, Ft. 
McNair, Washington, D.C., in July 1973, and received a Master of Science Degree from 
George Washington, University (1973). During the next two years he served as 
Commandant of the Cadets at the Coast Guard Academy.   
3.  On January 17, 1975, the then CAPT Schwob was appointed a flag officer with the 
permanent rank of Rear Admiral from September l, 1975. In June 1975 he 
assumed the post of Chief, Office of Reserve at Headquarters.  RADM Schwob 
received his next orders to assume the post of Commander, First Coast Guard 
District, Boston, MA, effective on June 20, 1977.  He retired in 1980 after 31 
years of dedicated service.
4.  RADM Schwob’s biography may be found on the USCG Historian’s website at 
https://www.uscg.mil/history/people/Flags/SchwobW.Bio.pdf. 
5.  RADM Schwob was predeceased by his wife Mary Eleanor Schwob (Reese) of 
Jermyn, PA, and is survived by his four children, Mary (Bill) Mulligan, Kate, Susan, and 
Sarah, and 4 grandchildren.  
6.  A memorial service is planned for 1100 on 11 November 2017 at Espiritu Santo 
Catholic Church in Safety Harbor, FL, to be followed by inurnment at Curlew Hills 
Memory Gardens in Palm Harbor. FL.  Half-mast instructions will be sent via separate 
message.
7.  RADM Schwob’s full obituary can be found at http://curlewhills.com/book-of-
memories/3168574/Schwob-William/obituary.php. 
8.  Released by RDML M.T. Bell, Jr., Commander, Personnel Service Center.  The 
Service Center for Our Most Important Resource – Our People.  
9. Internet release authorized.