Charles F. Schwartz

Schwartz, Charles F.

Charles F. Schwartz died January 6, 2013, in Citrus County, FL. He was born October 30, 1923 in Buffalo, NY, the son of Leroy and Martha Schwartz. He graduated from Bennett High School in 1940. During his high school years he ran cross country and track, taught physical education and swimming classes at the YMCA, and was active in the Buffalo Turn Verein, a gymnastic organization.

Chuck enrolled at Cortland State Teachers College, majoring in Health and Physical Education. Like many men of his generation, his studies were interrupted by World War II. He served with the Army Air Force 58th Bomber Wing in Kharagpur, India, and then on Tinian Island where he witnessed the takeoff of the Enola Gay for Hiroshima. He was always regretful of the very small part that he played in the deployment of atomic weapons and his thoughts about catastrophic fallout brought a turning point in the course of his life.

After World War II, Charles returned to Cortland State graduating in 1947. He taught at King Ferry, NY, before deciding to enter Christian Ministry. He enrolled at Yale Divinity School where he received a Master's Degree in 1952. Chuck began his involvement with Civil Rights in 1950 when, as a Divinity Student, he worked with mining communities in West Virginia.

He did additional graduate studies at Cornell and Cambridge Universities, and received a Master's Degree in Education from Cortland State in 1972. As a Presbyterian minister he served pastorals in Cortland, Brooklyn, Trumansburg, Searsburg and Enfield, New York.

After a dispute with his church board over his participation in Civil Rights marches, he returned to teaching in 1964. He taught in the Ithaca School District and served as Track and Cross Country Coach and Athletic Director for Trumansburg High School. Two of his teams won league championships.

He was committed to active participation in all projects furthering social justice. He traveled to Washington to participate in the 1963 Civil Rights March and on other occasions to protest the Vietnam War. He helped to prevent construction of a nuclear power plant on Cayuga Lake.

In 1966 and again in 1968 he was the Liberal Party's candidate for the 38th District Congressional seat running against Charles Goodell and James Hastings. His candidacy received strong support from SDS students at Cornell. He was on friendly terms with many activists and shared communion with Daniel Berrigan.

After retirement he took an interest in community affairs, gardening, golf, and playing the recorder.

Charles F. Schwartz was the devoted father of Jane Schwartz, Seattle, WA; Paul Schwartz (Karen Winters), Marietta, NY; and Suzanne Schwartz (Mary White), Ithaca, NY. He was a concerned and loving grandfather of Kendric Todi of Union City, CA; Emily Schwartz of Syracuse, NY; and Sarah Schwartz of Marietta, NY. He leaves one great granddaughter, Adriana Todi of Union City, CA. He is survived by his wife Margaret Brizendine of Hernando, FL. and by the mother of his children, Ruth Y. Beachler, Alpine, NY.

A memorial service will be held in Inverness, FL. An additional service and distribution of ashes will be held in Ithaca in the summer. Memorial gifts may be made to The Multicultural Resource Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY.