Dr. Michael B. Schwartz PhD

Born and raised in New York City, he was preceded in death by his parents, Julius Schwartz and Rose (Rubinstein) Schwartz. He was married for 1 month shy of 56 years to Gloria Pudick Schwartz. They had one son John Paul (J-P) Schwartz. Brother Erick Schwartz and nephew Ari Schwartz of CA also survive.

Michael had a distinguished career.

He received his undergraduate degree from Goddard College in Vermont, his MSW degree from Adelphi University in New York and his PhD at Tulane University in New Orleans. His dissertation was on suicide prevention. He taught Social Work at Florida State University in Tallassee and worked at the newly formed counseling center.

He and Gloria moved to Springfield in 1975 so he could join the recently established Psychiatry Department at SIU School of Medicine. He taught Psychiatry to medical students and residents, and specialized in working with children. In addition to teaching, he had a small practice working with individuals and families. He worked at SIU School of Medicine for 31 years, retiring in 2006.

He was a New Yorker through and through. Nothing pleased him more than vacationing in NYC and wandering around Manhattan on foot than eating at a fancy restaurant.

His hobby was collecting cameras and taking photographs. He hardly ever went anywhere without at least one camera. One had to have patience because he just wouldn’t snap a picture; he waited until he got a special shot.

He was a member of Temple Israel and a member of the Jewish Federation and its Maimonides Society. He was also an Hadassah Associate.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday July 17, 2024 at Bisch and Son Funeral Home, 505 East Allen Street, with burial to follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 9:30am until the time service Wednesday at Bisch and Son. Donations in Michael’s memory may be made to the Jewish Federation of Springfield or Temple Israel and condolences may be left at www.bischandsonfuneralhome.com.