Gary Allen Schwartz
Gary Allen Schwartz
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Gary Schwartz Obituary
Gary Allen SCHWARTZ Died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on July 26, 2009 at the age of 55 after a valiant two year battle with colorectal cancer. Gary was a devoted husband to Jane and beloved by his family and many friends. Raised in Philadelphia, he was a graduate of Swarthmore College in engineering and music. Gary was a brilliant engineer, obtained numerous patents and made significant contributions to the field of diagnostic medical ultrasound. He had a lifelong love of music and enjoyed attending eclectic live music concerts, especially with his nephews Nate and Brady. He was an avid outdoorsman - enjoying bicycling, hiking, cross-country skiing and backcountry camping. Every year he went on a sea kayaking adventure to remote areas, and earned the affectionate nickname "Air" from a spectacular incident at the mouth of the Hoh River - perhaps the only sea kayaker to defy gravity. He was a world traveler and held quietly sophisticated views toward culture, life, people and events. He had a dry sense of humor and was a steady friend to all. Gary saw only the good in people. In addition to many friends around the world, he is survived by his beloved wife Jane Hedberg, parents Helena and Larry Schwartz, father-in-law Raymond Hedberg, sister Lynn Reed, friends andin-laws Janet and Gary Somers, John and Annie Hedberg, and nieces and nephews Nate, Brady, Jenna, Caitlin, Caleb, Ben, Colin, Melissa and Heather. He was preceded in death by his dear brother Ira. Those who wish to honor Gary are welcome to make a donation to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Elizabeth Malan
August 7, 2009
Dear Jane & Family,
I am so sad about Gary's passing, words cannot express. He was the smartest person I ever met, yet so humble, kind, compassionate, talented and funny! He brought such peace and calmness into the office and would always make time to talk with me and help me see things from a different perspective whenever I needed it! It was such a pleasure to work with him all these years. He would continually encourage me to keep learning and trying new things, to stretch myself and my skill set. He used to say that we should always try to leave something better than when we got there. I miss him immensely but will remember him always and everything he taught me. One simple time management tip he passed on to me (from Jane!) was to try to pick up a paper only once instead of moving it from place to place. Every time I do that, I think of him and have to smile! I was very blessed to have had the opportunity to know him as a co-worker and friend. He shared so many great memories and pictures with me about the vacations he enjoyed with nieces, nephews, Jane and the rest of his family. I know you all meant everything to him. Thank you so much for sharing him with us. My heart goes out to you and I will keep you all in my prayers.
Love & Aloha,
Elizabeth
Mark Medoff
August 5, 2009
Hi, Jane -
I am still in shock over Gary's passing. Words cannot describe the heaviness I feel.
I think back to all the conversations I had with Gary here at ATL/Philips. I met him in 1985 when I first joined ATL, and we bonded when we discovered a mutual passion for music and creating it electronically.
Gary has always been so empathetic and helpful. He always expressed himself in a way that was so logical and calming. There isn't a day that passes when I don't relive the memories and the impact he has had on my life.
My heart is heavy, but I am very blessed to have had an opportunity to enjoy Gary's company.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I wish I could give you a lot more to endure these difficult times. Take care.
Kimberly Absher
August 4, 2009
My mom Elizabeth worked directly with Gary for several years, and I have had the pleasure of knowing him since I was a small child. He was always so kind in letting me hang around the office, and he became a dear person to our family. I will always remember him coming to my dad's funeral in 2005 and offering quiet, heartfelt condolences and support. He was a wonderful man who will undoubtedly be missed by many, near and far. I am so sorry for your loss and will keep your family in my prayers.
Paula Kukay
August 3, 2009
Jane, I'm so sorry to hear about Gary's passing. He was a very unique individual and loved by everyone. I so enjoyed working with him. He will be missed by more people than you can imagine. Take care and God be with you. Paula Kukay
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Barbara Hall
August 3, 2009
Jane - My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. He will be greatly missed by us all.
Sarah Baxter
August 3, 2009
Jane and family, I am so sorry to hear of Gary's passing but know that he is smiling down on us and finding humor in all our errant ways. He was such a kind individual and always had an ear to listen and a smile to offer to anyone that was looking for help in ATL/Philips.
July 30, 2009
Dear Jane, Peter and I send you our sincere condolences on the death of Gary. I had followed his and your difficult journey closely through Terry over the past two years. We hold you close in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Mary Kay
Pat Martin
July 30, 2009
Jane-
I'm so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. I know it's said often about other people, but Gary was one of the truly a great guy and exceptionally gifted. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pat Martin
July 30, 2009
Our family has known Jane and Gary since 1984, from the old days on Capitol Hill and in Montlake...we will always remember visiting New Orleans together (SVS/SNIVT?), cross country skiing with you at Early Winters, Will and Gary stoking the fires in the cabin all night, Simla trying to catch up with us in the traces of our skis in the thigh-deep snow...Sky's baptism at St.Joe's...and the fun and laughter of dinners, especially holidays, at your place or ours, with our young family... We were so happy to have Gary visit in person and catch up in San Diego, dining on the waterfront in Del Mar... We are heartbroken that Will was just so close, but unable to see Gary in person, last weekend...Jane, we hold you fast in our thoughts and prayers and will always hold dear Gary's smile and forever positive outlook on life. Love, Debbie, Will, Schuyler and Lindsay
Colin, Elisabeth and Brandon Reed
July 29, 2009
Jane - What you wrote reminded us of how much we enjoyed spending time with Gary. Colin always spoke about how much fun he had visiting his Uncle Gary in Seattle when he was younger. We will always remember how he lifted Colin in a chair at our wedding celebration, and the wonderful times we shared with the two of you on the cruise and when you visited NYC. We will miss him a lot.
You have certainly been in our thoughts and we hope that the memories of Gary's successful and meaningful life will make the days ahead easier.
Love, Elisabeth, Colin and Brandon Reed
Lorne Jacobson
July 29, 2009
It was always such a pleasure to kayak with Air, such a kind and thoughtful soul and a great kayak partner. Gary always endured bad puns and sophomoric pranks with his good nature and wry sense of humor. I remember the night before the end of a long kayak trip Gary producing, to our utter astonishment and delight, individual bags of Tim's Potato Chips for his paddling mates that he had secreted away from us. We enjoyed this rare treat tremendously as well as being very impressed by his thoughtfulness, discipline in keeping them from us for so long as well as his ingenuity in keeping them in pristine condition and avoiding them being crushed in the seemingly endless daily ritual of packing and unpacking our kayaks. Gary always seemed to produce something either out of his kitchen, his gear of his very being that always added to the richness of our kayak adventure. What a great guy! He will certainly be missed and my thoughts are with you and your family.
yours truly,
July 29, 2009
Jane Margaret,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Deb and I remember Gary well from when you visited us in North Oaks way back in 1990. Please know, Jane, that our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
We hope to see you soon in beautiful MN.
Love, Dennis & Deb Duffy
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