G. Edward "Ged" Schweikert, III, of 1370 Mountain Rd., Mifflinburg, PA, died at 1:45 AM, Sunday, June 15, 2008, at Geisinger Medical Center after living a full and inspiring life, undeterred by an 8-year battle with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the immune system.  For 28 years, Schweikert served Susquehanna with distinction and compassion as associate professor of psychology and the university's first and only head swimming coach. He will be deeply missed as a teacher and friend.

According to Gerry Hammaker, Head Coach of rival Lycoming College, "Ged was a wonderful man and a coaching mentor during my initial years at Lycoming College.  He took special interest in me upon learning that I was a fellow Wooster grad and helped lead me to understand the ways of our somewhat unique conference.  Although our two teams were heated rivals in the pool... we carried on a very upbeat and respectful friendship both on the pool deck and off.  The Lycoming Swimming Family sends our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies to the Susquehanna Swimming Family at this most difficult time."

Ged was born on January 23, 1943, in Texarkana, TX, the only son of the late George Edward Schweikert, Jr, and Eleanor Fleming Schweikert.  He grew up in Akron, Ohio, and graduated in 1964 from the College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio, with a degree in psychology.  While at Wooster, he starred on the men's swimming team, and was selected as an All-American in the butterfly.  He completed both his Master of Arts degree and PhD in experimental psychology at Kent State University, Kent, OH.  It was at Kent State University in 1970, after a chance encounter in the school cafeteria involving a bright orange dress, that he met and began a 38-year love affair with his wife, Mary Louise (Paoloni), who survives.

In 1970, Ged moved to Pennsylvania and began his career as an associate professor at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA.  While at SU, he served two terms as chairman of the Psychology Department, a term as faculty representative to the SU Board of Trustees, and taught and mentored thousands of students in psychology and psychology research.  He retired from teaching in September, 2007, and was granted emeritus status by the SU Board of Trustees.

Ged's retirement from teaching allowed him to pursue his other passion full-time - coaching swimming.  In 1977, he was asked by several SU students to coach the newly-formed men's and women's swimming club.  His response to their request:  "I've been waiting years for someone to ask me that question!"  Since then, Ged has coached countless athletes in his program, in many cases changing the directions of their lives while always emphasizing personal growth over wins and losses.  In recognition of these accomplishments and his ability to mold and maintain a positive and inclusive team environment, his peers in the Middle Atlantic Conference elected him Coach of the Year in 2000, 2005, and 2007.  His coaching career culminated in the 2007-2008 season when Ged's men's team posted an undefeated season and placed second in the newly formed Landmark Conference championships.  This accomplishment represents the first ever undefeated SU swimming team and the first undefeated athletic team at SU in at least 10 years.

Ged loved gardening, sitting in the sun with friends on the corner of their porch, cheering for the Cleveland Indians and the Browns, cruising in his boat and riding the roads of central Pennsylvania in his shiny red convertible.  Most of all, he loved his family:  wife, Mary Louise, son G. Edward, IV (Gedd), daughter-in-law Jennifer, and grandson Alexander, all of Harrisburg; his father-in-law, Alex J. Paoloni, Kent, Ohio; his "brothers:"  Robert Paoloni, Joseph Paoloni, Kent, Ohio, and John Paoloni and his wife, Cathi, Orlando, Florida; eight nieces and nephews and their children, and many former students and swimmers for whom he was a "Dad" away from home.  Ged also leaves to celebrate his life many close friends, "adopted" children, colleagues and his three dogs, all of whom will miss him, his sense of humor, and his ready smile.

Ged's life can best be summed up by a friends's comment during his recent hospitalization, when she said, "Everyone loves this guy!".  He was brave.  He was strong.  He never quit.  He was a warrior.

A memorial celebration of Ged's life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, June 21, 2008, in Stretansky Concert Hall, Cunningham Center for Music and Art (Heilman Hall), Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA.  In lieu of flowers, Ged's family requests that memorial contributions be made to the "Dr. G. Edward Schweikert, III, Swimming Endowment," c/o Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA  17870.  The endowment will be used to fund activities that will continue Ged's legacy of helping others believe in themselves.