Lawrence Robert Schwedes

passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at The Messenger House on Bainbridge Island, Washington. He was 84 years of age and a resident of Sequim, Washington. Lawrence was born on November 23, 1922.He was a man of many interests, many talents: small business owner (investment casting manufacturing company), scout leader for both his kids, photographer, observer of wildlife, student of the West (back roads, ghost towns, and miles of trails), world traveler (African trips were probably his favorite), private pilot, a 20th century mountain man (tomahawk maker and thrower) who loved his Macintosh laptop. He was also a hovercraft designer, home designer, model train builder, and woodworker. Always interested in doing something new, he often left the old undone. A collector of things, he was loath to part with any.He is survived by his daughter, Jean Tyson of Port Angeles, Washington, his grandson, Jeffrey Schwedes of Reno, Nevada and his sister Doris Swartz of Ramona, California. He was preceded in death by his son Gary Robert Schwedes and former wife, Billie Ann Schwedes.Born in the East on Long Island, New York, he moved to California as a teenager. During WWII he worked at North American Aviation in Dallas, Texas (and met Billie Ann), then returned to California and joined the Navy. The West was his home. His working years were spent in Santa Monica, California; his retirement years in Bigfork, Montana. He moved to Sequim, Washington in 2004.Arrangements by Cook Family Funeral Home.