Richard Frederick Schwartz

He was predeceased by his son, Frederick E. Schwartz, in 1995 and his wife, Margaret (Camp-Boes), who died in April 2021 and his former wife, Ruth (Feldman) Wadlin in 2015.

Dick, as he was known to his friends, was a retired professor of electrical engineering, a devoted father, a dedicated amateur musician, and an active member of the communities where he lived.

Dick had previously been a member of the Houghton Congregational Church, the Keweenaw Symphony, and the Copper Country Chorale, and the Houghton Kiwanis in Houghton, Michigan, and active in the UU Church, Peru, New York, and various volunteer organizations.

In addition to teaching during a sabbatical at the University of Michigan, Dick taught for many years at the Moore School, University of Pennsylvania.

He then moved to Houghton in 1972, where he was a full professor and department head of electrical engineering at Michigan Technological University until 1985, and then finished his career at Binghamton University’s Watson School in New York State.

He was a member of Institute of Electrical And Electronics Engineers and the American Society of Engineering Education.

Dick, a clarinetist and a pianist, combined his love of music with his professional interests, developing courses on acoustical engineering at the universities where he taught. He co-authored the book, “The Eavesdroppers.”

A gifted tinkerer, Dick would attempt to fix just about any piece of electronic equipment, and could build a functioning radio with a lump of galena and some spare parts lying around his shop. Dick had several patents to his name, dating from when he worked for RCA early in his career.

The son of a professor himself, Dick loved teaching – and he continued teaching long past his retirement. He was especially active in mentoring young male students in Binghamton-area public schools, and fostered relationships that continued for decades afterward.

Dick loved his large extended family, remembering birthdates of his relatives and often sending them a personalized “birthday poem” and a birthday check. He also was a prolific letter writer, addressing missives to family and friends – and also to politicians and corporations to give them advice on how to do their jobs better. A World War II veteran, he was resolute in hating war. He remained politically active and engaged until the end of his days.

He is survived by his children, Kate (Schwartz) Mortimer, Stuart (Schwartz) Holland (Doug Federhart), Frieda (Schwartz) Cialek (Brett Nyman) and Eric Schwartz (Margaret Yaukey); his step-children, Rachel Romanowicz (Ed) and Richard Boes (Lori); his grandchildren, Christopher Mortimer, Andrew and John Cialek; and his step-grandchildren, Joshua, Matthew, and Rebecca Romanowicz and Alex Boes, and a great-grandchild due at the time of this submission.

A funeral ceremony and memorial service has yet to be scheduled.

Gifts in Dick’s memory can be made to Amnesty International, or The American Heart Association.