Robert Donald Schwartz, born in Manhattan, New York, died peacefully in his home after a lengthy illness. He had a fabulous memory and could talk to anyone about anything. His hobby was the Stock Market. Friends often came to him for advice. He liked to play games; Poker, Gin Rummy, Rummikub and Sparkle. Robert was an excellent bowler. He and his wife entered Senior Olympic Bowling competitions and won many medals. He was an avid stamp collector and collected stamps from all over the world. He held many offices in B’nai B’rtih Herzl Lodge and was elected President in 1965.
Robert entered the City College of New York, at age 15, earning a BS in Chemistry in 1943 at age 19. His first job was with the Union Carbide Co. in Tonawanda, New York, where he worked on the Manhattan Project.
Robert was drafted into the Air Force in 1945. After serving his country, he returned to work for Union Carbide for a year and a half. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Buffalo in 1951. He worked, part time, for Electro Refractories and Abrasive Corp. while earning his Ph.D., until he accepted a position with the Shell Oil and Development Corp. in Houston, Texas.
Robert taught at the University of Houston, part time, while working for Shell Oil Co. He also taught in Sunday School at Temple Emanu El and was honored by the Bureau of Jewish Education for eighteen years of dedication to Jewish Teaching. He continued to teach in Sunday School after moving to Shreveport.
He accepted an offer from United Gas Corp. in Shreveport, La, in 1966, which later became Pennzoil. In 1984, Pennzoil transferred him to The Woodlands as a Research Chemist and Division Manager. He retired from Pennzoil in 1986. Robert was a pioneer in Gas Chromotogaphy and helped organized many international Symposiums. He was a member of the American Chemical Society since 1945 and belonged to the Louisiana Engineers Society, in Shreveport, La. where he was elected Engineer of the Year.
After retirement from Pennzoil, he worked as a consultant with ERM, Applied Science, and Alltech, Inc.
Robert is survived by his wife of 65 years, Annette, and by children: Susan (Barry) Hertz, Donna (Kenny) Baum, Michael (Bonni) Schwartz, David (Lori) Schwartz, and by loving grandchildren: Scott Hertz, Brian Hertz, Andy (Rachel) Baum, Lauren Baum, Jeremy (April) Schwartz, Melody Schwartz, Jeff Schwartz, Stephanie Schwartz, and four great-grandsons. Donation in his memory may be made to Temple Sinai, 13875 Brimhurst, Houston, TX 77077, 281-496-5950.
Graveside Service will be 12:00 P.M. Friday, December 7, 2012 at Emanu El Memorial Park.
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