Jeffrey Brian Schwent

It is with great sadness that the Schwent/Robbins family of San Marcos announces the death of their brother and uncle, Jeffrey Brian Schwent.  Jeff was born in Dayton, Ohio on his father’s birthday, October 1, 1960.  His parents, Elda M. Schwent and Col. Gerald W. Schwent – USAF (ret.) moved to Torrance, California after Jeff was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome. Jeff was one of the reasons that the California Regional Centers exist.  Because of Jeff, and the total lack of educational and support services for the “retarded” in California in the mid-1960’s, Elda and Jerry became leading advocates for the passage of the Lanterman Act that mandated educational and other services for the “handicapped”.

At nine years old, Jeff was finally enrolled in an educational day program in El Segundo, the first one open in Los Angeles County.

Jeffrey resided at home until his teens when he moved into the Good Shepherd Homes in Orange County.  After that he lived at Fairview State Hospital until a perfect match was made for him with Mountain Shadows Community Homes in Escondido, CA.

Jeff loved and was loved at Mountain Shadows.  The community was his family for more than 20 years. 

Jeff died at 11:11 am on July 22, 2018 at Palomar Medical Center from complications of pneumonia.

His family includes his housemates at Ash House, and the staff at Mountain Shadows; his sister, Kathe Robbins (Adam) of San Marcos; brothers, Robert of Palos Verdes, John of Fallbrook; sister-in-law, Janice Schwent of Tucson, AZ and his niece Erin Robbins Veit (Christopher) and grandnephew, Adam Veit.

Jeff will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in a grave shared by his father and sister, Susan who died in 1954.

The family wishes to thank the medical staff at Palomar Hospital for their expertise in caring for Jeff in his final days.  They were exceptional.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeffrey Brian Schwent, please visit our floral store.