Obituary of John B. Schwarz

John B. Schwarz, age 90, of Rydal died on March 14, 2018. He was the devoted husband of Ruth (Fitzmayer) Schwarz and the beloved father of Scott Schwarz, Linda Bierema, and Timothy Schwarz. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Christine, Jeremy, and Nathan Bierema. John was born in Louisville, Kentucky to John C. Schwarz and Veta M. (VonAllmen) Schwarz. He attended a small rural school through the 10th grade, and then the Louisville Public Schools for grades 11 and 12. He received a Bachelor in Engineering from the University of Louisville and a Master of Engineering Science degree from Harvard University. After graduation, John worked with his wife, Ruth, at Philco Corporation in Philadelphia, joining a cadre of young scientists charged with advancing television technology. In 1956, John joined Univac, which was a relatively new company at the time whose founders had just invented the modern-day computer. At Univac, he worked with J. Presper Eckert, who is credited with designing the first electronic computer (ENIAC) and the first commercial computer in the U.S. (the UNIVAC). Eckert once said that John was the best circuit designer he had ever worked with at Univac, and would often call him from airport terminals, railroad stations, or turnpike toll booths to continue conversations started earlier in the work day. At Univac, John also worked with Grace Hopper, a pioneer in computer programming. Univac eventually got bought out, and on the last day of operation in Blue Bell in 1989, John stayed after many others had left to turn out the lights for the last time on an engineering unit that had once housed over 300 innovators. In retirement, John tutored math at Penn State University and later for 5th and 6th grade students in the Abington School District. He often remarked that math is a difficult subject to teach, but he was very adept at it, as evidenced by his students' improving test scores and self-esteems. A memorial service will take place at Abington Presbyterian Church, 1082 Old York Road, Abington, PA, at 4:00 PM on Sunday, April 15, where relatives and friends will be received from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the service.