Douglas W. Schwartz

DOUGLAS W. SCHWARTZ Douglas W. Schwartz, 86, died Wednesday, June 29, 2016 surrounded by his family. He leaves behind his wife of 66 years, Nita (Hartley) Schwartz; his son Steven Douglas Schwartz; his daughters Susan Hartley Coll and Kelsey Daly Brown; his daughter-in-law, Lisa Bonanno Schwartz, his son-in-law, Dr. Josh Brown and his 6 beloved grandchildren; Maxwell Douglas, Harrison Henry, Griffin Douglas, Liam James, Ruby Isabella and Aidan Jane. Doug was raised in Lexington, Kentucky and Erie, Pennsylvania, the son of Harry and Vernon Schwartz. He met Nita in his senior year in high school when he first moved to Erie and was immediately voted king of the prom. Doug received his B.A. from the University of Kentucky in 1950 and went on to complete his Ph.D. in anthropology at Yale University in 1955. During the 50's and 60's he was a tenured professor in Anthropology at the University of Kentucky as well as Director of the University's Museum of Anthropology and Academic Assistant to the President of the University. In 1967 Doug and Nita and their 3 children moved to Santa Fe. Doug was president of the School of American Research (now School for Advanced Research) from 1967-2001. In 2007 he was honored with a bronze plaque in the courtyard of the Museum of Art in Santa Fe. The plaque states "Dr. Schwartz earned our enduring gratitude and respectfor his contributions to the understanding of the anthropology and archaeology of the American Southwest." A recently published book in his honor, A Catalyst for Ideas: Anthropology Archaeology and the Legacy of Douglas W. Schwartz, also recognized his contributions as president stating "a unique and visionary institution that complemented the intellectual activities and agendas of both universities and museums." The newly published history of SAR, A Peculiar Alchemy: A Centennial History of SAR 1907-2007, acknowledges that Dr. Schwartz "brought a languishing institution into an era of growth, stability, and innovation using five key principles-determination of purpose, emphasis on productivity, effective operations, robust resources, and forward thinking." Doug had been President of the Society for American Archaeology, President of the Board of the Jane Goodall African Wildlife Research Institute and President of the Board of Trustees for the Santa Fe Preparatory School. Most recently, in addition to being a Senior Scholar at SAR, Doug was a board member of the Witter Bynner Foundation for Poetry, board member of the First National Bank of Santa Fe, and the Advisory Board of the State of the Parks Program of the National Parks Conservation Association. Doug was most recently writing on the early development of Charles Darwin's creativity, and in novel form, a synthesis of his major excavations at Arroyo Hondo Pueblo. Doug's major archaeological research was in the Grand Canyon, where over a period of 20 years he did a pioneering survey and the first major excavations in the Canyon and on the North Rim. Several articles and monographs resulted from the work. He recently published a history and reexamination of his work in a volume published by the Grand Canyon Historical Society. Additional major research was on Arroyo Hondo Pueblo, a 1,000-room, fourteenth-century settlement that resulted in nine monographs published under Doug's general editorship. Doug constructed his life in a way that his life's work was his passion and joy. He was a passionate traveler, a curious mind, a creative thinker, an amateur magician, a warm and loving soul with an infectious smile, a special father and a dedicated grandfather. During the majority of his free time in Santa Fe, his most important association was the Kiva Club. His 40 plus year membership there was the basis of many deep friendships and where he logged thousands of hours of squash. He was the self appointed master's of ceremonies - not one to miss a social engagement, tournament or party. His reverse corner shot will haunt his opponents as they remember him fondly for the special part he played in their lives.