A tribute to the 2026 Brother I. Damian Award Recipient, Tom Schwietz
Tom Schwietz—affectionately known as “the fun guy”—cooked at Dunrovin for many years. Kids loved him. Staff loved him. Guests loved his cooking. He grilled hamburgers for kids, made meatloaf sandwiches for men, and (begrudgingly) prepared salads for women. He worked hard, laughed loud, told stories, and liked to gripe. Above all, Tom had a heart of gold and freely offered love to anyone who needed a hand.
Tom lived the heart of Dunrovin’s mission: offering an encounter with Christ to every person, especially underserved youth, through exceptional hospitality in the Catholic Lasallian tradition. He welcomed people as they were, loved kids, and helped create the caring environment where faith and growth flourish.
Each year on the Sunset Benefit Cruise, Dunrovin honors someone who embodies the spirit of Brother I. Damian Brown, FSC. Brother Damian envisioned a retreat center where teens could grow in maturity and faith. For more than six decades, countless people have carried that vision forward, and our gratitude is immeasurable. In 2026, we recognize Tom Schwietz—through his wife, Jeanne—as this year’s award recipient.
Their story fits beautifully within the Lasallian tradition. Nearly 350 years ago, Saint John Baptist de La Salle founded the Christian Brothers to educate poor boys who had little access to schooling. Over time, the Brothers expanded to 80 countries, always keeping young people at the center of their mission. Brother Damian continued that legacy by creating days of reflection for boys in Lasallian schools, a movement that led to the founding of Dunrovin Retreat Center in 1964.
Tom first encountered Dunrovin during a retreat as a student at Hill High School (now Hill-Murray School). He graduated in 1968 and built a full, generous life with Jeanne—living in East Saint Paul and then Stillwater, active in their parishes, and beloved by family and friends. His obituary captured him perfectly:
As a friend, he had a tremendous passion for helping and was admired and respected by those who came in contact with him. He touched the lives of so many with his sense of humor, stories, and gregarious nature, and he leaves us with a huge hole in our hearts.”
Bradshaw Funeral & Cremation
One of the places where Tom touched the lives of many was at the Graffiti Teen Center, a youth center in Stillwater. At Tom’s funeral in April 2026, Jeanne learned just how wide the influence of the Teen Center had been. Person after person told her that Tom had changed their lives—and that without their help, they didn’t know where they would have ended up.
Tom and Jeanne lived the call of Saint John Baptist de La Salle – to “have much care and affection for the young people entrust to you.” (Med 110.3 – Feast of Saint Joseph). With deep gratitude, Dunrovin honors Tom Schwietz with the Brother I. Damian Award.