Jack Schwartz

Jack was born on January 13th, 1941, and passed away on January 2nd, 2026. He was a devoted husband to Susan for 57 years, a loving father to his children Paula, John, and son-in-law Jayson. A proud grandfather to Taylor, Cody, Josh, and Sophia.

Jack Schwartz was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He grew up with his Mother Dorothy Schwartz, Father John T. Schwartz, and Brother Tom Schwartz. He served as an Alter Boy at his local Lutheran Church. He played football and baseball on his high school teams – going on to the State Championships. While at North Hills High School he got an opportunity to assist Jonas Salk’s work on Polio vaccines at the University of Pittsburgh. He graduated from North Hills High School in 1959. He had an offer to join the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league baseball team but he decided to go to Case Institute of Technology in Ohio to study electronics and play football. Then after a year decided it was too cold and transferred to California – mainly to enjoy the beach, Beach Boys music, and surfing. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronics Engineering from Northrop Institute of Technology in Los Angels, California in 1964.

After being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force in February 1965, he worked as a Satellite Operations Controller at Vandenberg AFB, California. At Vandenberg he was introduced to his future wife Susan by mutual friends. They began dating and became engaged prior to his leaving for Korea during the Vietnam war.

He served as Communications and Radars Chief for the 314th Air Division and for the UN Forces Korea at Osan Air Force Base during 1967 and early 1968. He returned to Los Angels to serve as Chief of Maintenance for the AF Satellite Control Facility. In June 1969, Capt. Schwartz moved to the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program office as an engineering project manager. On June 8th, 1968 Jack and Susan were married at Vandenburg AF Base surrounded by friends and family.

Capt. Schwartz was transferred to the naval Air Systems Command in Washington DC in June 1972 as the Missile and Electronics Systems Manager for the A7D Aircraft Program Office. During this period, he also attended night school at the University of Southern California via the Pentagon extension program – earning a Master of Science Degree in Systems Management. While working in DC both his children, Paula and John, were born at Andrews Airforce Base in Maryland. He was then assigned to the NAVSTAR GPS Joint Program Office as the Chief of Spacecraft Navigational Systems in 1975 – allowing him to move his family back to his beloved beach and warm weather in California.

In 1976, Jack left the Air Force and went to work for the Navy as an Electronic Engineer at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station in California. At Seal Beach he served as the Branch Head for the Strategic Programs responsible for the surveillance testing of the reentry bodies for the US/UK Polaris, US Poseidon and US/UK Trident Fleet Ballistic Missile Systems for the Strategic Systems Program Office.

Jack went to work as Navy Associate Deputy Program Manager for the NAVSTAR GPS Joint Program Office (JPO) in March 1988. In 2000 he retired from government service after 33 years and went to work for SAIC. He then worked till 76 years of age for SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation) – managing and leading projects like GPS.

Jack lived a life of service and passion. He served in the United States Air Force for 11 years and then continued his work as a civilian for the Navy, dedicating nearly 35 years to advancing aerospace technology. His work contributed to something that changed the world—the Global Positioning System, GPS. Jack didn’t just have a job; he had a mission. He believed in exploring the next frontier, and that passion extended beyond his work. He loved Star Trek, not just as entertainment, but as a vision of possibility. He shared that love with his family, taking them to conventions and inspiring curiosity and imagination in all of us.

Jack was a man who loved games—computer games, card games, board games. He was competitive, witty, and always ready for a challenge. If you played Monopoly with him, you knew what you were in for- He would say “Oh so you wanted to lose tonight?”. And if you ever hesitated during a game, you’d hear his famous phrase: “Just roll the dice already!” (even if it was a card game) That line became a family tradition, a little piece of Jack that will live on in all of us.

Jack loved football and spent many evenings and weekends with family and friends watching, cheering, and screaming at the TV for his favorite Steelers - waving our terrible towels. He even got a chance to take Paula, Susan and Jayson to a Chiefs pregame in Kansas City.

He was a father who showed up—coaching and refereeing soccer and softball, encouraging his kids to get involved, and making sure family time mattered. He went camping with his family; to Yosemite, the Redwoods, and several trips to Lair of the Bear in California which included hiking, fishing, and watching outdoor movies. The family went on unforgettable trips to Canada, Florida and Alaska. He even traveled to France with Susan, creating memories that will last forever. He arranged for John and Paula to get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fly in the back seat of a T-34.

Later in life, he and Susan split their time between California and Las Vegas to be close to their children and grandchildren. Over the years he and Susan hosted many backyard parties to celebrate holidays and grandchildren’s birthdays. He was often found in the pool playing with the children, running for supplies, and setting up indoor activities. Playing games with kids and guests like phase 10, Risk, poker, dominos and his favorite Catan. He went to, videoed, and cheered at recitals, concerts, plays, and sporting events.

Jack loved reading, especially science fiction, and he instilled in us a deep respect for the written word. He loved his church communities and carried a steadfast faith throughout his life—a faith that gave him peace and certainty about heaven and God’s love.

Jack was many things: a husband, a father, a grandfather, a veteran, a mentor, and a friend. But above all, he was ours. And while we will miss him deeply, we know his love and his legacy live on in every story, every game, and every moment we shared.

So today, as we honor Jack, let’s remember his laughter, his passion, his faith, and his favorite saying: “Just roll the dice already.”

---

Scripture Reading – Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.