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Celebrating the life of Leo Michael Schweiger.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 13, 2026
WHEREAS, Leo Michael Schweiger, a devoted public servant, community volunteer, advocate, and beloved resident of Winchester, died on November 1, 2024; and
WHEREAS, born on August 25, 1933, in Lenexa, Kansas, to Theodore and Madeline Schweiger, Leo Schweiger, alongside his eight siblings, was raised on a family dairy farm where he developed the humility, work ethic, and generosity that would define his life; and
WHEREAS, Leo Schweiger earned a bachelor's degree in English from St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kansas, before proudly serving his country in the United States Air Force as a photo intelligence specialist in Japan, achieving the rank of staff sergeant and cultivating a lifelong passion for photography; and
WHEREAS, following his honorable military service, Leo Schweiger dedicated more than 30 years to the federal government as an inspector with the former U.S. Customs Service of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, serving with distinction at the Port of Houston; and
WHEREAS, Leo Schweiger subsequently served as an instructor at the U.S. Customs Training Academy in Georgetown and as director of management development at the U.S. Customs Service headquarters in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his exceptional career and unwavering commitment to public service, Leo Schweiger was awarded the Albert Gallatin Award, the highest career service honor of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, presented personally by Secretary of the Treasury James Baker III upon his retirement in 1985; and
WHEREAS, drawn by the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, Leo Schweiger made Winchester his home in retirement and continued to serve others tirelessly through volunteerism and civic engagement, as well as enriching the community through his passions for photography and gardening; and
WHEREAS, Leo Schweiger was a dedicated volunteer at the State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy Experimental Farm and a lifetime member of the Winchester Little Theatre, where he generously contributed his time and talents to maintaining the grounds and enhancing community spaces; and
WHEREAS, living with a lifelong hearing impairment caused by otosclerosis, Leo Schweiger became a steadfast advocate for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing, confronting discrimination with grace, wisdom, and courage and championing equality and understanding throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, in 1997, Leo Schweiger was appointed by Governor George Allen to advise the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and state leadership on issues affecting Virginians with hearing loss; he was subsequently reappointed by multiple governors, reflecting the respect he earned across administrations and political lines; and
WHEREAS, Leo Schweiger was a highly respected member of the Winchester Host Lions Club, where he led the Hearing Aid Recycling Program for more than a decade, earning recognition as a Melvin Jones Fellow and Lion of the Year and the enduring honor of having the annual Leo M. Schweiger Hearing Award named in his memory; and
WHEREAS, above all, Leo Schweiger was a humble man who put others first, lived with integrity, and left a lasting legacy of service, compassion, and quiet leadership that continues to inspire communities across the Commonwealth; he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by numerous family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Leo Michael Schweiger, a distinguished member of the Winchester community; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Leo Michael Schweiger as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.