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Walter Schwartz Obituary
Family-Placed Funeral Notice
WALTER A. SCHWARTZ Walter A. Schwartz (Wally), a former radio and television broadcasting executive, died on Wednesday, December 14 at Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach, Florida. Wally was born in Detroit, Michigan, attended Michigan State University and graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit. He served as a Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps during World War II and again with the Air Force during the Korean War. Wally began his career in radio with WWJ in Detroit and then moved to New York where he became General Manager of WABC. In 1967, Wally was named President of the ABC Radio Network. During his administration, ABC adopted its unique four network programming plan which transformed the organization into the nation's largest and most profitable network. In 1972 he was named President of ABC Television where he oversaw the ABC Television Network, ABC Sports and ABC Entertainment. In 1975, he joined the John Blair Company as president of it's television stations and then became President and CEO of Blair Television from which he retired in 1986. Wally is survived by his wife of sixty years, Virginia (Ginny), his daughter Leslie Frazer of Churchville, Maryland, his son, Kerry of Indianapolis, Indiana, five grandchildren and one great grandchild. There will be a memorial service held in Boynton Beach, Florida in January. Boynton Memorial ChapelFamily owned & operated(561) 734-5600
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Memories and Condolences
for Walter Schwartz
Ray McCormack
February 26, 2021
As a young man working at ABC while in college I met Wally Schwartz; and he was a wonderful man. A few years later after graduating college and having left ABC I bumped into Wally at a midtown restaurant in Manhattan. And Wally could not have been nicer; he introduced me to his party and said, “Myself and Ray worked together at ABC.” Hardly, but almost 50 years later I still remember his gracious introduction. Wall had class .
Ray McCormack
February 26, 2021
As a young man working at ABC while in college I met Wally Schwartz; and he was a wonderful man. A few years later after graduating college and having left ABC I bumped into Wally at a midtown restaurant in Manhattan. And Wally could not have been nicer; he introduced me to his party and said, “Myself and Ray worked together at ABC.” Hardly, but almost 50 years later I still remember his gracious introduction. Wall had class .
andrea wiener
December 23, 2005
basically, if it wasn't for Walter (Wally) Schwartz, we would have NEVER had MusicRadio 77 originally; my condolences to his family
andrea
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Ted David
December 23, 2005
Who doesn't remember the great respect and admiration so many had for Wally? (Or Mr. Schwartz, as we "young ones" addressed him)
And who can forget his regular editorials... always on the money and so well delivered.
Those were the days of great radio management and he was right at the heart of it.
May he rest in peace.
Terry Morgan
December 23, 2005
A true broadcasting innovator. My condolences to Mr. Schwartz's
family, friends and colleagues.
Carolyn S. Kettle
December 22, 2005
Dear, dear Ginny -
Please know that the Dunes community was numbed by the news of Wally's untimely passing. Your many years at the Dunes has afforded you close friendships so we hurt while you hurt. Our prayers and thoughts in these very tough times. The memories will help to heal. Much love, Carolyn
George & Anne Boone
December 20, 2005
Dear Ginny, Our thoughts and prayers to you and your caring, wonderful family. We think often of those years of laughter on the golf courses and the great and not so great golf that we had with you both. Much love, Annie & George
Linda Meilan
December 20, 2005
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Wally Schwartz. I was fortunate to work for him at WABC Radio from 1963 until he was promoted to the ABC Radio Network. He was a gentleman and a gentle man. Ginny and Wally added class and warmth to our station. He was a remarkable man who will always be remembered with love by those lucky enough to have worked for him. My heart goes out to Ginny and the rest of the family.
Jackie Holfelder
December 19, 2005
I had the pleasure of working at WABC Radio when Wally Schwartz was the General Manager - my boss was Rick Sklar, who was Program Director. I've always remembered Wally's ability to make everyone feel important and respected .. as a result there was lots of camaraderie and fun at the station, because Wally never played favorites. It was the greatest place to work that you can imagine -with Cousin Brucie, Dan Ingram, Ron Lundy and Chuck Leonard among the dj's making us the #1 station in the country, everyday was a party. I had only worked at the station a little over a year when Wally went to the Network, and I don't even remember the name of his replacement at WABC. But I've never forgotten him and the joy and laughter that surrounded him. My condolences to Ginny and the rest of his family, from a member of his WABC family.
Jackie Weiss Holfelder
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