In Memoriam

Hal Schwartz

Obituary

Hal Schwartz
1964 graduation

Harold A. (Hal) Schwartz, Jr., 71, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother, departed this life March 5, 2014.

He was a graduate of Baylor and received his undergraduate degree from Yale University, his LL.B from the University of Pennsylvania, and his LL.M (in taxation) from New York University. He served as a law clerk to the trial judges of the United States Court of Claims in Washington, D.C. Upon moving back to Chattanooga in 1970, he joined the law firm of Stophel, Caldwell, and Heggie. He later joined the law firm of Witt, Gaither, and Whitaker in 1978, and practiced primarily in the areas of estate planning and employee benefits before retiring in 2012.

Active in professional organizations, he served as President of the Chattanooga Bar Association, the Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (where he was Chapter President), and as a Director of the Chattanooga Tax Practioners and the Estate Planning Council of Chattanooga. Mr. Schwartz was a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, which has approximately 2,000 members nationwide. In addition, he was a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Association, an honor bestowed on no more than 30 Tennessee attorneys each year.

As a member of the Southern Employee Benefits Conference, he was selected to be one of approximately 80 practioners in the southeast to meet annually with the Internal Revenue Service on pension matters.

Mr. Schwartz served as Associate Counsel for Interstate Life & Accident Company, where he earned the designations of Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Fellow, Life Management Institute.

Involved in the Chattanooga community, Mr. Schwartz served as President of the Chattanooga Jaycees, Mizpah Congregation , Chattanooga Area Literacy Movement (Now READ of Chattanooga), and the Chattanooga Jaycee Foundation. He was also instrumental in establishing the Greater Brainerd Area Jaycees. He was very active in Mizpah Congregation, including as President, following his father Dr. Harold Schwartz and grandfather Harry Miller in the same role. In addition, he served as Campaign Treasurer for Chattanooga Mayor Gene Roberts during his three successful political campaigns. He was named Volunteer Lawyer of the Year in 2001.

He was an avid stamp collector, loved to travel, and his grandchildren were the highlight of his life.

Preceded in death by Dr. Harold A. Schwartz, father, and Eleanor Miller Schwartz, mother, and Patti Ann Schwartz, sister.

Survived by wife Elwynn Harrison Schwartz; son Harold A. (Skip) Schwartz III (Holly); daughters Karen Johnson (Art) and Susan Crispell (Mark); sister Ellen Schwartz Yellin (Marc); grandchildren Caroline Riede, Skylar Schwartz, Blayden Schwartz, and Nicholas Johnson; nephews Jeffrey Yellin, Brian Yellin (Megan); mother-in-law, Bettye Harrison.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 10, 2014 at 11:00am at Mizpah Congregation with Rabbi Tepper officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday, March 10, 2014 from 10:00am to 11:00am at Mizpah Congregation , 923 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Memorial contributions may be made to National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741-5018, or to the Miller Schwartz Fund at Mizpah Congregation , 923 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403.