Born September 13, 1940, in Newark, New Jersey, he is preceded in death by his parents Louis K. Schwarz, Jr. and Katherine Waldron Schwarz; and his brother Robert A. Schwarz and sister Kathleen S. Burdorf.
Lou graduated from Columbia High School in South Orange, New Jersey, in 1958 before continuing his education at Blair Academy, in Blairstown, New Jersey. He went on to Lehigh University, in Lehigh, Pennsylvania, where he was a member of the wrestling team, and later earned his undergraduate degree from Parsons College, in Fairfield, Iowa. A member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, he served as a house adviser at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, where he earned a master’s in business administration degree.
Lou began his 38-year career with Exxon Corp. which later became ExxonMobil. He was transferred to Orange, Virginia, in the summer of 1971. In 1981, he married Vicki Hicks Schwarz, and transferred to the Washington, D.C. area, where he continued working for the company until his retirement. He was also involved in commercial and residential real estate in Orange, Virginia.
A lifelong Rotarian and active community leader, Lou served as president of the Olney Rotary Club from 1989 to 1990. He was also a member of Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Away from his professional and community commitments, Lou enjoyed golf and attending University of Maryland basketball and football events and was a member of the Maryland Terrapin Club.
Lou is survived by his beloved wife, Vicki; his children Allison Schwarz Weakley, of Pittsboro, North Carolina, Brian Schwarz, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Emily Reardon Dardick (Chris), of Charles Town, West Virginia, and Jennifer Reardon, of Davidson, North Carolina. He also leaves behind six grandchildren whom he adored, Rhiannon, Reilly, Liam, Vanner, Ian, and Lilah, each of whom held a special place in his heart and brought immeasurable joy to his life.
Visitation will be held at DeVol Funeral Home in Gaithersburg, Maryland, on Friday, November 20, 2026, from 5:00PM to 7:00PM. A celebration of Lou’s life will take place at Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 11:00AM
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, https://www.umms.org/umgccc/giving
