CDR Harold C. “Hal” Schwan, 98, of Chesterfield died April 2, 2024, at his home. Mr. Schwan always was interested in airplanes and making things. As he was about to graduate from high school at 17, he was selected for the Navy’s V-12 officer training program and attended classes at the University of Wisconsin in 1942 and then transferred to the University of Notre Dame to pursue a degree in aeronautical engineering. He graduated in 1946 and was commissioned as an officer. He worked at North American Aviation in Los Angeles for a few years where he learned to fly. Later he was accepted to train as a Navy pilot at NAS Pensacola.
Mr. Schwan was a combat pilot during the Korean Conflict and retired from the U.S. Navy in 1969 after serving 24 years. He had two tours of Korea with VF-51, the 1951-1952 cruise on the USS Essex and the 1952-1953 cruise on the USS Valley Forge while flying F9F Panthers. He then went on to VF-64 flying the F3H Demon. While at NAS Alameda, he met and married his wife. He took an exchange assignment in the Air Force flying F-89 Scorpions and F-101 Voodoos with the 94th FIS out of Hamilton AFB. He went to the US Naval War College where he earned his first master's degree. His next assignment was as a test pilot for F-4 Phantoms at McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis. He and his family were transferred to Naval Air Station Key West where he trained in F-4s in VF-101 Replacement Air Group squadron. His last assignment in the Navy was at NAVAIR in the D.C. area.
In 1970, Mr. Schwan went to work for McDonnell Douglas and during his 17 years there, he led a design group that added leading edge slats to the F-4E. He also worked on the original F/A-18 proposal, helping to win that contract. He then became an expert in carrier suitability design. In his later years, he was a technical integrator for F/A-18 foreign sales and traveled to Japan, Korea, Greece, Switzerland and France. While working, he earned his master's in engineering management from the University of Missouri in Rolla. He retired from McDonnell Douglas in 1987. In his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family, and his hobbies included gardening, swimming, bicycle riding, traveling, reading, attending reunions with his VF-51 squadron and free flight modeling with the Thermaleers Club. Born Jan. 28, 1926, in West Allis, Wis., he was the son of William and Frances Schwan.
He was preceded in death by his wife: Patricia B. (Derderian) Schwan.
He is survived by three children: Kurt (Suzanne) Schwan, Erica Schwan and Erik Schwan; five grandchildren: Jenna (Grant) Meyer, Chris (Theresa) Schwan, Andrew (Bailey) Schwan, Kate Schwan and Christopher Wheat; an honorary grandchild: Isabella Christian; nine great-grandchildren: Natalie, Roman, Conrad, Adelaide, Gemma, Sam, Abe, Teddy and Archer.
He also was preceded in death by a brother: Robert Schwan.
A roadside service was held today, April 8, in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to the Disabled American Veterans or Boys Town. Arrangements are under the direction of Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory in Ballwin.