Richard Schwarz

Richard Lester Schwarz, 92, of Chapel Hill, NC, died June 11, 2014. He was born in Newark and moved from Newark to Livingston in 1956, where he lived most of his adult life. He lived in Fairfax, Va., for three years before moving to Chapel Hill late last year.

During a career of over 60 years, Mr. Schwarz was vice president at Bro-Dart Industries and then at Paramount Industries and GIA. Over the years, he invented and designed machinery for the library industry and held several patents in his name. In the final years of his career he consulted on product liability and industrial accident cases, serving as an expert witness. He was particularly interested in safety issues and his designs and consulting work led to improvements in industrial worker safety.

He graduated from Weequahic High School in Newark and from Newark School of Engineering. He graduated from New York University College of Engineering after World War II.

He served in the Army during the war as an instructor at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds and was part of a team that developed an anti-aircraft weapon that preceded radar. 

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He had a lifelong interest in photography, with some of his photos garnering best in show awards. He also was a craftsman who enjoyed building and repairing items. 

Predeceased by his wife, Jeanne (Spear), he is survived by two daughters, Dale Schwarz (Guillermo Cuellar) of Sunderland, Mass., and Cynthia (Mark) Lowenthal of Reston, Va.; his son, Roger (Kathleen Rounds) of Chapel Hill; and four grandchildren.

Services were held with arrangements by Howerton & Bryan Funeral Home, Durham, NC. Memorial contributions may be made to Kehillah Synagogue, 1200 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.