U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam's father dies

This story has been updated to include the name of a grandson, Jack Roskam.

To know Verlyn "Swede" Roskam was to know his faith, his loved ones say.

"That explains him entirely," his son U.S. Rep Peter Roskam said. "Without a question, the most important thing was his Christian faith and sense of gratitude - and the sense of generosity that came directly from that."

Swede Roskam, of Wheaton, a father of five and grandfather of 17, died Friday surrounded by his loved ones at the age of 85.

"It's a great loss, but wow did he live a life you can be proud of," Roskam said. "He was just a huge influence all the way around."

Born in Iowa Falls, Iowa, Swede graduated from Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, and went on to graduate from Knox College in 1951.

Swede believed that most of life is attitude and often told his children "life is choices - make good choices."

"He came from a difficult background and rather than just getting stuck in the past, he was really able to move beyond that," Roskam said.

Faced with having to drop out of Wentworth because he didn't have enough money to attend his senior year, Swede received a life-changing donation.

Another family, whose son graduated from Wentworth and later died in World War II, stepped in to donate his tuition, room and board, spending money - and a class ring.

It's the same ring Peter has worn for the last 30 years, given to him by Swede minutes before an open heart surgery. It was worn on Swede's finger everyday before that and Peter's everyday since.

"It's a pretty poignant reminder of my dad," Roskam said. "(The experience) formed him in a lot of ways, and it influenced him the whole rest of his life."

Swede later went on to form Educational Assistance Limited, an organization that uses surplus inventory from colleges and universities and contributions from outside donors to fund scholarships and supplies for college students who couldn't otherwise afford to go. Educational Assistance Limited has raised millions of dollars and helped more than 10,000 students nationwide, his family said.

Known for sponsoring trips overseas for young people within his church or paying for the education of others who were once in his situation, the Roskam family is hearing more of these stories since Swede's death.

"He felt a responsibility to try and pay that back," Roskam said. "He was very aware that this opportunity was entrusted in him, and he had to do something with it."

Swede went on to serve as a company commander in the Korean War, and he was honored by the government of Korea at a 50th anniversary ceremony.

That sense of responsibility to give back shone through again when Swede and Martha, his wife of 61 years, were on a business trip in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in 2002. Martha noticed a basket of military dog tags. Incensed that these possibly represented the sole artifacts of their owners, they purchased all 37 and hired a private investigator to track down the families of the 37 men, and spent the next decade personally delivering them to each family they could find.

Swede worked full time until last year, at age 84, as an international salesman for the sorbent minerals company Oil-Dri Corp. of America - a career that spanned 45 years.

For the last 50 years or more, the Roskams have made their home in Glen Ellyn and Wheaton areas.

Although not political themselves, Swede and Martha, supported Peter in his political aspirations - often seen campaigning and participating in parades on their son's behalf. The family had expected to attend Naperville's St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.

Instead, Swede had a mild heart attack on Tuesday. On Thursday, he had a catastrophic stroke. His family brought him from the hospital to his home in Wheaton and sang hymns, surrounding him with their love as he died peacefully at 5 p.m. Friday.

"He lived his faith, and there was no ambiguity," Roskam said. "It just leaves an incredible legacy for myself and my siblings and our children."

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Martha Jacobsen Roskam; five children, Stephen (and Chandler) of Oak Park, Dick (and Phyllis) of Indianapolis, Sarah of Seattle, Peter (and Elizabeth) of Wheaton, and Maribeth (and Jon Coote) of Rogersville, Pennsylvania; and 16 grandchildren, Gracey Roskam, Frankie Roskam, Steve Roskam, AJ Roskam, Jacob Roskam, Mica Roskam, Hilary Roskam, Jon Roskam, Lilly Roskam, Bryan Simpson, Hope Simpson, Jayne Averitt, Ian Coote, Peter Coote, Jonathan Coote Jr. and Philip Coote. He was preceded in death by grandson Jack Roskam.

A visitation will take place from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at College Church, 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton.