Saul Schach

Saul Schach was remarkable not only for the length of his life, but for the way he lived it. He was the epitome of optimism, good humor, and generosity. He was outgoing in every situation, always ready to strike up conversation with total strangers. He was the chronicler of family events and keeper of family records, and a great storyteller of events he witnessed or took part in during his long life. He was positive everything would work out — and for the most part, he was right. He was a lucky man who lived independently until nearly the end of his life. He passed away Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Redmond, WA, at 101.

He was born — the last of three sons — on November 23, 1923, to Abraham and Mary Schach, who had emigrated from Kiev in 1906. He began a lifelong love of playing the piano at an early age and loved to tell us that he was a student of a student of Liszt. His love of music encompassed classical, opera, Gilbert and Sullivan, and Broadway tunes. At 13, he witnessed the flight of the Hindenburg on his way home from school. He enlisted in the Army in 1943, serving in France and Germany in the Signal Corps.

He graduated from George Washington University with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1949. While in Washington, he met his future wife, Mary Louise Neff, at a Press Club dance. The two wallflowers found themselves standing on the sidelines and struck up a conversation. This led to walks on the National Mall, a favorite movie (Kind Hearts and Coronets), and a fifty-one-year marriage beginning on November 24, 1950. He completed a year of graduate work in Electrical Engineering at Harvard.

He spent many years working at RCA, standardizing microwave devices and transistor circuits, and later served as an administrator for RCA’s Minuteman Program. He founded Infocomp in 1970 to automate voting systems and tax and accounting functions for municipalities throughout New Jersey. He was president of Infocomp for thirty years, finally retiring at age 77.

Saul and Mary raised four children — Tali, Toby, Barbara, and David. Mom taught us to read, and Dad handled practical matters like teaching us to drive and change a tire. He unsuccessfully attempted to teach some of us to throw a ball. They passed on their love of meeting and welcoming people from other countries into their home. They welcomed Murray, Claudia, Randy, Emma, and Lizzie into the family and were ecstatic at the birth — and in the growing up — of grandchildren Eva and Michael.

He moved to Cincinnati in 2007, opening a new chapter in his life. His life there was enriched by new friendships, OLLI, the symphony, chamber music, and other cultural activities.

Saul was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary; his brothers, Arthur and Milton; and Abby Albert. He is survived by his children and grandchildren and by his final loving companion, Kathy Richardson.

We will all cherish his memory.