Dr. Harold Lawrence (Larry) Swartz, 89, of East Lansing, Michigan, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on July 18, 2024 in East Lansing. Born in Williamsport, PA, to Harold L. Swartz and Madeline F. (Beveridge) Swartz, Larry was a graduate of Williamsport High School and married his high school sweetheart, Norma J. Marshall, in 1956. He went on to get his Bachelor’s degree at Lycoming College, his Master’s at Boston University, and his PhD at Syracuse University. After working in fundraising for public television stations WITF, Hershey, PA, and WKAR, East Lansing, Larry drew upon his lifelong love of trains and in 1983 created America by Rail. Started in his living room, he grew the business into a unique escorted train-tour company with tours throughout North America and beyond. Larry was a generous man who enjoyed traveling, music, reading, writing, golfing, and spending time with family and friends. He especially relished vacations at his in-laws’ cabin in the mountains of Pennsylvania and summers at his vacation home on Grand Lake in Presque Isle, Michigan. His Christian faith was paramount to him, both personally and as a congregant. Larry was predeceased by wife Norma J. (Marshall) Swartz, son Randall J. Swartz, sisters Jane (Swartz) Rishel and Ann (Swartz) Eisner, and brother-in-law David G. Kriner. He is survived by son Timothy Swartz and his wife Denise (Piotter) Swartz; daughter Cynthia (Swartz) Copland and her husband Robin Copland; grandson Joel Swartz and his wife Megan (Hunt) Swartz and great-granddaughters Laylah and Melody; granddaughter Corrine (Swartz) Soave and her husband Jason Soave and great-grandson Marshall; step-granddaughter Eryn (Copland) McDonald and her husband Matt McDonald, along with great-granddaughter Charlie. Also surviving are sister-in-law Gale (Marshall) Kriner, nieces Lisa (Eisner) Redmond, Sheryl (Eisner) Connerly, and Meredith (Rishel) Murren, and nephews Eric Eisner, Kent Kriner and Kirk Kriner.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of The Willows East Lansing and to those from Elara Hospice who provided care for Larry.
Visitation will be held at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Chapel in East Lansing on Monday, July 22, from 5:00 – 7:30, followed by a celebration of life.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Lycoming College Office of Advancement.
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