Raymond P. Schwartz

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Ray left the city to join the Army, where he served in Korea as a morse code intercept operator. After leaving the military, he enrolled at UCLA where he received Bachelors and Masters degrees in History. He later graduated from San Diego State University with a Masters in Social Work and went on to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He spent the majority of his professional life with the County, working with the developmentally disabled. He focused on improving the Board and Care system, writing several manuals for operators and employees, established training programs for staff, and working to ensure more homes became licensed. He was often referred to as "Mr. Board and Care", and was named a San Diego Social Worker of the Year twice. After leaving the County, he worked at the Naval Medical Center in their mental health unit. Following his retirement, he was able to pursue his first academic passion, and taught history at Grossmont College. Ray spent his boyhood playing stickball on the Brooklyn streets, and was a speed skater and ice guard at the local rink. He loved baseball and 'bled Dodger Blue'. He was also a huge hockey fan, and passed that passion on to his sons and (reluctantly) his wife.He was known for his sense of humor, and could coax a smile out of anyone.Ray is survived by his wife of 51 years, Bonnie, and his sons David and Joel (Jasmine) along with nieces and nephews, all of whom were very special to him.Donations in his memory may be made to the San Diego Alzheimer's Association.