Robert Schwartzman, of Queens, NY and Myrtle Beach, SC passed away on April 12, less than a month shy of his 80th birthday. He and his older brother, Howard (Diane) Schorr, were born and raised in the Bronx. Their parents, the late Jack and Selma Schwartzman, ran a paint supply and hardware store beneath a rumbling elevated train.The family spent summers in “the country,” Pine Plains, N.Y., where he made lifelong friends and spent countless hours outdoors, by the lake.
He attended James Monroe High School, where he met Jane (nee Polatsch). The couple shared nearly 56 years of marriage. He was a devoted father to Bryan (Amy Weinberg) of Upper Dublin, PA and grandfather, affectionately called Papa, to Maya and Juliana Schwartzman.
After high school graduation, he served in the Army National Guard and briefly worked for the Bulova Watch Company. In the early 1960s, just as the aviation industry was taking off, he landed a job at the New York headquarters of British Airways. He spent the next 36 years working on reservations, document processing and other roles, becoming a mentor and friend to countless co-workers. He was a fixture on British Airways’ softball and bowling teams and enjoyed skiing trips with co-workers.
Since retirement, he and Jane split their time between New York and Myrtle Beach, where he enjoyed golf, formed new friendships and followed his beloved Yankees from afar.
Robert could fix almost anything, lent a hand to friends, neighbors and family, could laugh so hard he’d fall out of his seat, enjoyed Pink Floyd and other classic rock and sat in the same section of his pool club near the deep end for some 30 years. He was often the one who would check in with cousins and other family near and far. He set a fine example of working hard, helping others and enjoying life.
Family and friends are invited to Services on Wednesday, 12:30 PM, at Joseph Levine & Sons, 1002 W. Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA. Interment at Haym Salomon Memorial Park. Shiva will be observed at the home of Bryan Schwartzman and Amy Weinberg on Wednesday, April 17 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 18 from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Services will be at 7 p.m. both nights.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Robert’s memory may be made to Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation (https://www.mlb.com/turn-2-foundation) or the American Lung Association (https://www.lung.org/).
