Edward C. Schweiger, 82, former logistics director for the Illinois Air National Guard headquarters, died Thursday, June 6, in Haven House hospice in Atlanta, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. Gen. Schweiger was born in Prairie Du Chien, Wis., and grew up on the South Side of Chicago. In 1942, Gen. Schweiger enlisted in the Army Air Forces Aviation Cadet program. He married his wife, Rita, in 1943. During World War II, Gen. Schweiger served as a B-24 bomber pilot in the European theater, completing 30 bombing runs. He transferred to the Army Transportation Corps and then became a reservist. Gen. Schweiger joined the Illinois Air National Guard in 1947. In 1951, he served in France for two years to support NATO forces during the Korean War. He returned to the Illinois Air National Guard and was appointed as the director of material in 1965 at the headquarters of the Illinois Air National Guard, which moved its personnel in 1993 from O’Hare International Airport in Chicago to Camp Lincoln in Springfield. Gen. Schweiger was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in 1976, the same year he retired. In addition to attending several military schools, Gen. Schweiger earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from Chicago State College in 1968 and 1970, respectively. During his retirement, he was also active in the Silver Circle, a group of retired officers from the Illinois Air National Guard. In 1993, Gen. Schweiger and his wife moved to Atlanta. “He served his God, he served his country, and he served his family very well,” his son Alan said. Gen. Schweiger is also survived by his wife, Rita; four other sons, Edward, James, Michael and Patrick; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A private service will be held.
