GEORGE SCHWARZ Obituary

SCHWARZ--George, on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, George Schwarz, physician, restaurateur, and quintessential New Yorker passed away in peace. Born in 1931 in Frankfurt, Germany, the first son of a prominent Jewish family, George fled the Nazis with his family, living in hiding in occupied France, and eventually escaping to Switzerland and then the United States. Educated at City College and Tufts Medical School, George served as a physician with the U.S. Army in Korea in the 1950s, before returning to New York City, where, for 35 years, he was chief of the Radiation Oncology Department at St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan and chairman of the hospital's research committee. George was a devoted husband to the artist Kiki Kogelnik for more than 30 years, until her untimely death in 1997. They are survived by their son, Mono Schwarz- Kogelnik. While a physician at St. Vincent's, George recognized the paucity of high- quality, affordable restaurants in the West Village during the 1970s. Determined to improve his city, George opened the restaurants Elephant & Castle and One Fifth. Later, he added The Noho Star and Temple Bar to his roster of restaurants, and he saved from the wrecking ball the renowned Keen's Chop House -- all of which, together with a second Elephant & Castle outpost in Dublin, continue to thrive. George loved the arts, the opera, travel, and intimate conversation in any one of the three languages he spoke fluently. In addition to his son Mono, George is survived by his devoted life partner of the last 18 years, Susan Unterberg, his sister Evelyne Rosenstock of Monsey, NY, his brother Charles Schwarz, and his dear friend Bonnie Jenkins, as well as many friends and admirers the world over. In lieu of flowers, raise a glass to George at Noho Star.

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Published by New York Times on Dec. 18, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for GEORGE SCHWARZ

12 Entries

Robert Y Lin, MD

December 12, 2022

Best to Mono. Thanks to the restaurant staff for making NYC a better place to eat out.

Robert Y Lin

December 12, 2021

Hope Momo and the Schwarz restaurant family are doing well.

Fraser

October 29, 2021

In 1991 I had only been in New York a few weeks. I applied for a position as a bartender at Keens Steakhouse which I had coincidentally poked my head in a few days earlier. Have you any references he asked me at NOHO star. I explained that I had worked for my parents in their bar in Scotland and my mother could provide a reference. "Will she say that you are a good boy?" he asked. I got hired. Today I work in radiology. Thanks George

Andrzej Szechter

January 3, 2017

I have worked with George at SVH since 1973, and we remained friends for over 40 years. George had a rare talent of seeing the crux of almost any problem and he would help in finding the solution, many, including me benefited from his advice. He had a subtle sense of humor with a tinge of sarcasm and didn't take himself too seriously. So many memories. Renata and I will miss him.

Andrzej Szechter

January 2, 2017

I have worked with George at SVH since 1973, and we have remained friends for over 40 years. He had a rare talent to see the crux of almost any problem and he would let you find the solution. He had a rare sense of humor with a bit of sarcasm and didn't take himself too seriously. So many memories. Renata and I will miss him.

Rene' Pere'

December 27, 2016

Wonderful man, great conversationalist, an inspiration, kind, wise, and what a sense of humor. I'm proud to have had such a privilege to get to know and work with George. Warmest regards and condolences to family and loved ones.

Seymour Levenstein

December 23, 2016

George was a wonderful client and friend. It was not only my pleasure to be in his company but also to observe the way he conducted his business' outside the practice of medicine. Many of today's successful restaurant owners were trained by George. I will miss him.

Roger Neumaier

December 21, 2016

George was my father's cousin. His bravery in escaping the Nazis, his skill as a medical doctor, his Ingenuity and pursuit of excellence as a restauranteur, his warmth as a person combined with his appreciation of art set standards for a full life to which we can all aspire. I was proud to be related to such an wonderful multifaceted person.

James Robilotti

December 21, 2016

Great physician, class act, academic. And loved good jokes, a true role model thanks for all the good times at leans until we meet again

Robert G

December 21, 2016

thank you for giving me the opportunity to work and learn so much about hospitality and restaurants in the big apple you are one of a kind and will be missed we will carry on your gracious work

Bob Lin

December 19, 2016

George's elegance and grace made him a wonderful colleague at St Vincent's Hospital. As a committee member, I learned much from him when he chaired the IRB at St Vincents. I cannot think of anyone who was more of a renaissance man than George Schwarz.

Robet Shields

December 19, 2016

20 years at Keens, thank you George for affording me a challenging and very special workplace

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