Dave was born in Findley Lake, NY to Lawrence Louis Swartz and Olive Emma Barth on October 9, 1929. He graduated from Sherman High School, in Sherman, New York, in 1947. He studied Ceramic Engineering at Alfred University, earning B.S. and M.S. degrees in 1951 and 1953, respectively.
Dave then worked as a manufacturing engineer for RCA for one year, before joining the U. S. Navy in 1955. Dave proudly served as a naval officer for four years, where he was responsible for aircraft maintenance on the historic aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Intrepid. He then served nine more years in the Navy Reserve. Dave enjoyed a long and productive entrepreneurial career. With his brother, John Swartz, he co-founded Lake Shore Cryotronics in the late 1960’s. Lake Shore ultimately emerged as the premier manufacturer of cryogenic temperature sensors and instrumentation. In 1981, Dave founded RMC, a manufacturer of high-tech products that served the scientific, engineering, and medical technology markets. The company moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1985, and Dave ran RMC until the company was sold in 1998. Although he retired in 1998, he continued to consult for many years.
One of the joys of Dave’s life was flying airplanes. He learned to fly prior to joining the navy, and during his lifetime owned several airplanes, flying all over the United States and Mexico for business and pleasure. One of his favorite piloting adventures was with Norma, on a flying tour of Alaska. Another favorite destination was to Dave and Norma’s condo in beautiful Kino Bay, Mexico.
Dave was truly one of a kind – highly intelligent, compassionate, thoughtful, and loyal, with his own special sense of humor and a zest for adventure that took him all over the world, traveling with the love of his life, Norma. Dave and Norma had a beautiful marriage and wonderful life together. Dave’s children and grandchildren brought much joy to his life, and he avidly followed all aspects of their lives, cheering them along every step of the way.
Dave greatly mourned the death of his son, Eric Thomas Swartz, who died much too young in 2001. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 62 years, Norma Elizabeth Swartz, of Tucson; his daughter Kim Heistand (Steve) of Weston, Florida; his son Scott Swartz (Ruth Ann Holzhauser) of Columbus, Ohio; his daughter-in-law Emily Swartz, of Tucson; and five grandchildren, Samantha, Max, Amy, Brandon and Katie. Also survived by his brother John Swartz (Helen) of Columbus, Ohio, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Desert Skies United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 15 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children (www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/en/donate).
While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.
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