Former UCCS Chancellor and faculty emeritus Donald Schwartz died July 4 in Colorado Springs. He was 86.
He was named the second chancellor of UCCS in Jan. 1978 and resigned as chancellor Dec. 31, 1982. He was a professor of chemistry until his retirement in Jan. 1993.
During his time as chancellor, campus enrollment increased from 2,850 students to 3,150. He was also credited with helping set high undergraduate admission standards, securing state funding for construction of the Engineering Building, and for expanding the university’s mission to include more graduate and doctoral degree programs.
“Don Schwartz was integral to the early growth of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs,” Pam Shockley-Zalabak, chancellor, said. “He provided a foundation upon which we have continued to grow and expand.”
Prior to coming to UCCS, Schwartz was chancellor of the Indiana University-Purdue University campus in Fort Wayne, Ind., acting president and vice president of academic affairs at the State University College, Buffalo, N.Y., dean for advanced studies at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Fla., and associate dean of the graduate school and director of research at Memphis State University. His teaching career included positions at North Dakota State University, Fargo, Moorehead State College, and Villanova University. He also worked as a research chemist for Esso Research Laboratories and as a science adviser for Central America under a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department, the American Chemical Society and the National Science Foundation.
He earned his doctorate from the Pennsylvania State University, master’s from Montana State University and bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri.
According to a notice published in the Colorado Springs Gazette, Schwartz is survived by his wife, Lois; three sons, Mark, Scott and Brad; and a daughter, Leanne. Services have already taken place.
An obituary, as written by family members and published in the July 13 edition of the Gazette follows
Donald Schwartz died July 4, 2014. He was born in New York on December 27, 1927. He joined the Coast Guard to serve his country during WWII. He earned his BS from the University of Missouri, MS from Montana State and PhD from Penn State. Professionally he was a renowned chemist, educator and administrator.
Donald moved with his family to Colorado Springs in 1977 as Chancellor of UCCS. During his life he enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and winters in Las Vegas. As a private pilot, he and Lois, his wife of 67 years, flew their own plane to the four corners of the US.
He loved and was proud of his four children: Leanne, Mark, Scott and Brad, his 7 grandchildren and his niece Janice and nephew Steven. He especially enjoyed sailing around the world on cruises with his entire family.
He influenced many lives and will be remembered by all who knew him.
Online condolences may be posted to http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gazette/obituary.aspx?n=donald-schwartz&pid=171710660&fhid=6111
I am so sorry to learn of your loss and wish you and yours peace of heart….