Richard Alfred Schwarz

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on November 14, 2004:

Richard Alfred Schwarz Born August 28, 1929 - Died November 6, 1996 Richard Alfred "Dick" Schwarz was born in Texas on 28 August 1929 and was appointed to West Point from the 1st Congressional District of Idaho. His West Point classmates recall: "After being reared on a caisson Dick journeyed eastward across the rockies to become a cadet. Besides being an expert with both a fly rod and a gun, Dick really appreciates a good time because of his experience in that line. Regulations and academics, which he takes in his stride, come easily to 'Rosie.' Wherever he may roam he will be a welcome member of any circle, one in particular forever." During his cadet days Dick was on the Howitzer staff and with the Fishing Club yearling, cow, and first class years; was with the Rifle Club plebe year; with the Dialectic Society yearling year; was Company Athletic Representative first class year; and was a Cadet First Sergeant his first class year. Upon graduation Dick first went in the Armored Corps and after completing the Basic Armored Course at Fort Hood, Texas reported to the 1st Armored Division and served from 1951 to 1952 when he got orders to the 9th Infantry Division in Korea and was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal (valor) for distinguished heroism against an enemy; the Combat Infantryman Badge; and the Purple Heart for wounds in action against an enemy. On return to stateside Dick applied to The Engineer School, Fort Belvoir, Virginia and changed branches becoming a member of the Corps of Engineers and serving on the Staff & Faculty from 1953 to 1954. Next Dick earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Illinois in 1956 and on completion was assigned as an Instructor in the Department of Physics and Chemistry at the United States Military Academy where he served until 1959. Then from 1959 to 1962 Dick served with the Atomic Energy Commission and retired from the United States Army on disability but went to work with the AEC/DOE in a civilian capacity becoming the Area Manager of the Operations Office in Idaho Falls in 1982 where he served until 1984. (The writer, incidentally, served as Area Manager of the Operations Office of the Dayton Area Office AEC/DOE from 1976 to 1979.) The July 1991 Assembly noted, "From ID Falls Dick Schwarz writes of a very unsuccessful bear hunt in ID's Salmon River Wilderness area. As a bittersweet reward, Dick later bagged a much-sought-after mountain goat but had to retrieve it from the 9000-ft level in the Teton Mountains. Margaret was honored by the local Civitans as 'Citizen of the Year' for her longtime work with the Girl Scouts and her efforts to establish and operate a local food bank." Dick and his wife Margaret attended the 45th reunion in 1996. Dick died on November 6, 1996, less than a month after returning home from that joyous event with his classmates at West Point. Margaret makes her home in Idaho Falls, Idaho. jac; 18142, wc 404

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