Who is Claude Schwartz, Sr. from The Risk Pool and what is their importance?

Claude Schwartz, Sr. is Claude Jr.'s father. A large pear-shaped man, who is sarcastic and condescending. He looks down on everything about Mohawk, as he feels he has been punished by his company when they sent him to live in this little town. He supervises the manufacture of small, plastic, lime-green swimming pools shaped like turtles. Claude eventually abandons his family.