Oakland

Local Businessman and Jazz Musician Bob Schwartz, 92

Published

7 years ago

February 25, 2017

Robert A.D. Schwartz, local business businessman, philanthropist, patron of the arts, and jazz musician, died last Saturday, Feb. 18 at the age of 92.

Born in 1925 in Chicago, Ill., Schwartz received his B.S. in June 1944 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.). Upon graduation, he became an Ensign in the Navy and was sent to the Pacific.

He was an Oakland resident since 1951. He earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Golden Gate University Law School, becoming a member of the California State Bar in 1974.

In 1952, he founded Schwartz & Lindheim Inc. Electrical Contractors. The company evolved over the ensuing years to become Key Source International, Inc., a business that develops, and manufactures keyboards for education, retail/point of sale (POS), telecom, government, banking, and healthcare markets.

In 2016, Keysource International was named winner of the 2016 American Hospital Association’s Healthcare Environment (AHE) Innovation Award recognizing the company’s technological excellence. Key Source International was

In November, the Oakland City Council passed a resolution recognizing the company for its award winning work.

As Chairman of the Northern California Democratic Party, he worked tirelessly for the first campaign of Jerry Brown for Governor. He also worked on the campaigns of US Congressman Ron Dellums, US Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and California State Senator Nicholas Petris.

A philanthropist, Schwartz served as chairman of Urban Strategies Council, a non-profit organization, which works to eliminate persistent poverty in the Bay Area.

He founded the Robert A.D. Schwartz Foundation in 1979. The foundation’s mission is to develop vocational, musical and citizenship educational programs.

The Schwartz Foundation has been a major supporter of the Oakland Symphony and the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra.

He also founded Peer Tutoring Resources Center, which works to support the development of caring and collaborative citizens by enhancing the use, expansion and sustainability of peer tutoring – a model engaging students as instructors and leaders in classrooms and across schools.

He was named Oakland Citizen of the Year in 1996.

Schwartz had a long history as a musician, a tenor saxophonist and clarinetist, going back to his college days. While he was a student at M.I.T., he organized a 15-piece band, the “Techtonians,” which performed in 1943-1944.

Until recently, he was active as the leader of his new band, “The Therapists,” which performed for free at local senior seniors.

He produced two CDs as executive producer, Comeback Jazz and Comeback Jazz with Dance. The Comeback Jazz website is comebackjazz.org.

Schwartz is survived by his brother Charles (Susan) and sister Polly; wife Debbra; their children Margot and Noah; former wife Deanna Osterberg; their son David (Myla) and grandson Alexander; children Robert (Chan-Sook), Stevon, Paul (Pamela), and Donald (Elizabeth); grandchildren Shinyung, Yea-Eun, Aeri, Junghee, Jaegyun, Borami, Jaeman, Charles, Donald, and Samuel; as well as one great-grandson Alpha Buta.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to the Southern Poverty Law Center ( www.splc.org) or the Peer Tutoring Resource Center (www.peertutoringresource.org).

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Related Topics:Charles Schwartz Oakland Symphony Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

13 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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BART to Retire Legacy Trains in Public Ceremony April 20

Published

6 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

The Richmond Standard

Bay Area Rapid Transit’s final dispatch of legacy trains will take place on Saturday, April 20, and will be accompanied by a retirement ceremony and a final legacy ride.

At 1 p.m., the public is invited to celebrate the last run of BART’s legacy trains during a ceremony that will take place in the free area of the plaza at MacArthur Station in Oakland.

Following the ceremony, the public is invited to board a legacy train and ride from MacArthur to Fremont Station, mirroring the initial service BART provided when it opened Sept. 11, 1972.

“It’s a 45-minute trip that travels along approximately 24 miles of the original section of tracks,” BART officials said.

Multiple legacy trains will run for the event, and all will make station stops and may turn around at Bay Fair depending on the number of attendees waiting to ride. Regular fares will apply.

“These train cars are part of the history of the Bay Area,” said Bob Powers, BART general manager. “While we are excited to modernize the system, we recognize the profound cultural importance of these cars, and we want to celebrate their rich history and give them a proper send off.”

BART is now running train cars from its Fleet of the Future project.

Those nostalgic for the older trains will be able to view three of them soon at Western Railway Museum in Suisun City.

A handful of other legacy cars will be transferred to be repurposed for short-term rentals, entertainment venues, and training facilities, according to BART. Most of the legacy cars have been recycled.

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Mind, Body, and Spiritual Well-Being for Women Addressed in NAACP Forum in Oakland

The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is proud to announce the upcoming “Total You – Mind, Body, and Spirit Women’s Health Forum” scheduled for April 27 at Acts Full Gospel Church. Running from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1034 66th Ave., this forum aims to provide an empowering platform for women to engage in discussions, gain knowledge, and access resources pertaining to their health and well-being.

Published

6 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

The panel will address various aspects of women’s health, including physical, mental and emotional well-being and relationships. iStock photo by Jorge Elizaquibel.

Special to The Post

The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is proud to announce the upcoming “Total You – Mind, Body, and Spirit Women’s Health Forum” scheduled for April 27 at Acts Full Gospel Church.

Running from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1034 66^th Ave., this forum aims to provide an empowering platform for women to engage in discussions, gain knowledge, and access resources pertaining to their health and well-being.

The forum will feature renowned experts, healthcare professionals, and advocates from Genentech, John Muir Health, Sutter Health of The East Bay, Kaiser Permanente, and the Alameda County Public Health Department.

Our expert panel will address various aspects of women’s health, including physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and healthy relationships. The forum will encompass a wide range of topics such as breast cancer, menopause, reproductive health, nutrition, mental health awareness, preventive care, and much more.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend informative sessions, interactive workshops, and panel discussions led by experts in their respective fields. Additionally, there will be wellness activities, screenings, and informational booths offering valuable resources and support.

This forum is open to women of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging inclusivity and diversity in the conversation surrounding women’s health. Whether you’re seeking information for yourself, a loved one, or simply looking to connect with other women, this event promises to be enlightening and empowering.

For more information and to register for the Total You Women’s Health Forum, please visit https://www.naacpoakland.org/ or contact Dr. Delores Thompson. WIN chairwoman at (510) 328-3638.

The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is dedicated to empowering women, and young teen girls. We look forward to your participation in this important event.

To register, go to https://www.naacpoakland.org/events/the-total-you-womens-health-forum