Harley James Schwind Jr

Harley James Schwind Jr., 60, Mandan, passed away 17 September 2024.

Harley was born 13 February 1964, in Ashley, ND, the oldest of four sons to Harley Sr. and Lola (Cox) Schwind. He graduated from LaMoure High School in 1981, where he was voted Homecoming King his Senior year. He went on to attend Valley City State College for one year. 

On 13 February 1981, at age 17, Harley enlisted in the ND Army National Guard and his first assignment was as a Combat Engineer with Company D 141st Engineer Battalion. In 1990, at the Regional Training Institute at Camp Grafton, Harley crossed paths with fellow soldier, Darcy (Olson) Stugelmeyer, from Oriska, ND. The two were married three years later. In 1993, after serving with Company D 141st Engineer Battalion for 12 years, where he served in various key leadership positions culminating as Squad Leader; he transferred to the ND Military Academy and Engineer School at Camp Grafton near Devils Lake. There he and Darcy served as instructors. He was also Course Manager and Branch Chief. Darcy said, “He was a phenomenal instructor and so knowledgeable, he really was, I was just captivated.” In 1997, he was assigned to Company A 164th Engineer Battalion where he eventually served as First Sergeant. In 2000, he transferred back to the ND Military Academy to serve as the school’s Senior Instructor and Assistant Commandant. In 2001, Harley assumed duties as Operations Sergeant for the Engineer Brigade 34th Infantry Division. In 2004, he was assigned as Command Sergeant Major for the 164th Engineer Battalion and deployed to Iraq from 2007-2008, an experience he said was one mission among many that gave him the experience to see the world and serve his country. In 2008, he was assigned as the Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge and later Command Sergeant Major for the 68th Troop Command. In 2014, Harley and Darcy’s work would overlap overseas just one time in Ghana. In 2012, Harley was appointed as the North Dakota National Guard’s 8th State Command Sergeant Major, a position he held until May 2015. He then assumed duties as the Senior Enlisted Leader of NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, Bosnia. During his tenure, Harley served on engineer construction missions to the Republic of Honduras 1989, Republic of Panama 1989-1993, Republic of Korea 1998, and Federal Republic of Germany 2005. He was a 2003 graduate of the US Army Sergeants Major Academy. CSM Harley James Schwind Jr.’s military awards are numerous as one might imagine from his 36-year career. He retired from the ND National Guard on 28 February 2017. Brigadier General Robert Fode, Commander of the North Dakota National Guard’s Army component said, “Command Sgt. Maj. Harley Schwind has excelled as our eighth State Command Sergeant Major and we are all appreciative of his service. He tirelessly executed his duties as our senior Non-Commissioned Officer mentoring and caring for soldiers, providing excellent advice to me and other officers, and serving as a great role model for all our NCOs to emulate.”

Harley had a natural ability to connect with people. He had many hobbies and passions to include coin collecting, wood working and maintaining vehicles and lawn equipment for his family. He enjoyed landscaping and tinkering in the garage. Harley was undoubtedly willing to lend a helping hand anytime. He loved time with his family as he visited his parents almost daily. Harley was a huge Cincinnati Reds fan and would travel to see them play. Harley was the greatest history buff most people ever knew. His knowledge will be missed by all of us because he knew so much about everything. His chili was legendary. Harley enjoyed playing pinochle and loved to go hiking and exploring. He made it a priority to vacation and travel with his family both here and abroad on a yearly basis. Harley was his brother Kurt’s main advocate and supporter during Kurt’s campaign for Nelson County Sheriff. Harley was a staunch conservative who loved reading and writing. His poems were amazing. He had such a soft heart for animals. The greatest loves in his life were his family, friends, country, and all fellow Soldiers. 

Blessed to have shared in his life is his wife of 31 years, Darcy Schwind, Mandan; children, Tristin Schwind (fiancé, Ryan Thompson), Corrina (Curtis) Birks, Center, ND, and Devin (Sammy) Stugelmeyer, Fargo; grandchildren, Peyton, Lillian, and Amelia; his parents, Harley Sr. and Lola Schwind, Mandan; brothers, Darrin (Cara) Schwind, Mandan and Kurt (Rose) Schwind, Lakota, ND; 11 nieces, 1 nephew, and 1 great nephew; as well as numerous cousins and several aunts and uncles. Also, his huge military family, including lifelong friends from around the world.

Harley was preceded in death by his beloved son, Harley James Schwind III in 1999; a brother, Chad Schwind in 2000; and his grandparents.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10 AM on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at First Lutheran Church in Mandan with Pastor Phil Leer presiding. Burial will be at 1 PM at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors.

The family will greet friends from 5-6 PM on Monday, September 23, at First Lutheran Church with a Prayer Service beginning at 6 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Memorials are preferred to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the ND Veterans Cemetery, or the Wounded Warrior Foundation.

For those traveling, a block of rooms is reserved at the Baymont Hotel in Mandan under Schwind family.