Donald Schwarz

SCHWARZ, Donald Keith

Donald Keith Schwarz died on Monday, June 23, 2025, Lawrenceville, GA. He was 79 years old. Don was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on September 18, 1945, to Allan John and Hulda Mildred Keller Schwarz. He grew up in Mt. Lebanon, PA, graduating from Mt. Lebanon High School in 1963, and Pennsylvania State University in 1967. He was first married to Susan Gibson, and later to Bobbie E. Reed in 1978. Don served in the US Army from 1968 to 1970, finishing as an Orthopedic Specialist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He was employed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 1967 to 2001 in the Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV Prevention. He was assigned to state and local health departments including New York City, New Jersey, Chicago, Kansas, and Michigan, as well as to the offices in Atlanta, GA. After his retirement Don was active with the Greater Atlanta Rose Society and Greater Gwinnett Rose Society; he was a Consulting Rosarian and Master Rosarian and held several offices. He was also active in the Georgia Native Plant Society where he led many plant rescues. He loved nature and hiking, and was an avid gardener. He loved meeting and talking with "strangers" every time he left home. Don was preceded in death by his father, Allan in 1973; his mother, Hulda in 2005; his sister, Karen Gertrude Schwarz Gerner in 2011; and his brother, Richard Allan Schwarz in 2020. He is survived by his wife, Bobbie Reed of Lawrenceville, GA; by his sister, Kathy Walsh and brother-in-law, John Walsh of Mishawaka, IN; and by many nieces, nephews, and others who will cherish his memory. We will miss him terribly. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2-4 PM, July 14, 2025, at Tom M. Wages Funeral Home, 3705 Hwy. 78 W, Snellville, GA 30039, (770) 979-3200. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Save The Redwoods League (savetheredwoods.org) or the Greater Atlanta Rose Society (atlantarose.org).