“I Loved the House, It Just Seemed Like the Right Fit”

Brother Charles Schwambach ’70 knows the importance of recognizing a person’s potential value and finds his satisfaction in helping them reach it. That all began with his decision to join a fraternity on 234 E. Beaver Ave.

“When I pledged, I loved the house,” said Schwambach. “I loved the location to the campus and I immediately felt a strong bond with the existing Brothers. It just seemed like the right fit.

The 60’s were a wild time for sure. Many of us would probably say it moved so fast it was a blur. However, I loved the Jammy’s, the toga parties, the Saturday football games with the cocktail party afterward and then downstairs socializing and dancing. That’s what I miss and think about most often. These are great, great stories that I tell my grandchild.”

Schwambach still keeps in touch with a few of his Brothers, such as Bud Scholar, Jack Wareham ‘71 and Jon D’amico ‘71.

“I would love to see all of our pledge class again,” he says.

These days, Schwambach is Corporate Vice President of Marketing for Greystone Senior Living, the largest senior-living consultant in the nation assisting in Nonprofit organizations with the development, financing, and marketing from the ground up of continuing-care retirement communities throughout the nation.

“I actually received my degree in Food Service and Housing Administration and spent 30 years in corporate restaurant positions, including owning 4 restaurants,” said Schwambach. “However, the last 14 years have been in the senior living industry. I would have to say that the socialization piece of being involved with Phi Kappa Sigma is something that assists you in growing as a human being and has helped me in business. Living and interacting with different personalities every day, helps to prepare you for the different personalities in the real world. 

I am an active white water enthusiast even at 68.  At least every two years I fly from Dallas to West Virginia to run their Class V Rivers.  I love to work out and I travel a lot with my job and for fun.  Of course, the fall is dedicated to Penn State football.”

Of all his accomplishments, the Skull Brother cites his ability to develop people and recognize a person’s potential value as his greatest asset.

“I find individual accomplishments fade but relationships you have formed with people is what is the most satisfying and at least for me seeing someone succeed that I brought into an industry and was instrumental in them reaching their full potential, says Schwambach.

The future represents a lot of challenges to the upcoming generations. Don’t lose sight of the importance of people skills and if you are fortunate enough to find a mentor in any industry, recognize its value and capitalize on it.”