Builder's roots run deep in Arlington Heights

Wilbert A. Schwantz grew up the son of a carpenter and contractor in Arlington Heights, who built the first five homes in the village's Scarsdale Estates subdivision.

As an extension, Mr. Schwantz chose a related career, that of a Realtor, promoting the neighborhoods and village amenities of Arlington Heights for more than 40 years.

Family members reflected on his long history in the village this week. Mr. Schwantz passed away Friday. He was 84.

"He was born and raised in Arlington Heights, and he loved the town," says his wife, Dorothy. "He felt dedicated to it. He loved where we lived and he loved raising a family there."

Mr. Schwantz's grandfather, Joseph Schwanz, settled on a farm in Elk Grove Township in the 1890s, after coming from Germany. Extended family members have documented the family's long history in the area in a self-published book, that spans 150 pages.

"The family eventually added the 't' to the name, to show that they were different from the other Schwanz families back in Germany," says Judi Schwantz Ward of Mount Prospect. "They wanted to give their family with a fresh start, here."

Joseph Schwanz's descendants spread out across the Northwest suburbs, and include Jim Schwantz, a former Chicago Bears player and current radio analyst, who was a second cousin to Mr. Schwantz.

Mr. Schwantz attended Arlington High School and went to work for his father upon graduating. He began his real estate career working for Krause and Kehe, before being tapped to open up an office for Annen & Busse in Palatine.

"He managed that office and helped develop the subdivisions of Reseda and Hunting Ridge in Palatine," his son, Bob Schwantz says.

"He almost moved the family there, but he and my mother decided to stay in Arlington Heights, because of the relationships they had built in their neighborhood."

Mr. Schwantz ended his career back in Arlington Heights, at the real estate office of ReMax Suburban, before retiring in 1987.

His sons recall that it was in the family garage, with their father's Lawn Boy lawnmower, that they began a landscaping business. Bob and Denny Schwantz now run the Acres Group, from offices in Wauconda, Roselle and Plainfield, and service the entire Chicago area, with their nearly 800 employees.

Besides his wife, Mr. Schwantz is survived by his sons, Bob (Carol) Schwantz of Palatine, Jim (Barb) Schwantz of North Barrington, and Denny (Kathy) Schwantz of Palatine, and four grandchildren.

Services have been held.