Harold Schwartz, Jr.
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. He 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. 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.
He was preceded in death by Dr. Harold A. Schwartz, his father, and Eleanor Miller Schwartz, mother and Patti Ann Schwartz, sister.
He is survived by his wife, Elwynn Harrison Schwartz; son, Harold A. (Skip) Schwartz III (Holly); daughters, Karen Johnson (Art), 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, at 11 a.m. at Mizpah Congregation with Rabbi Tepper officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday, March 10, from 10-11 a.m. at Mizpah Congregation , 923 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37403.
Memorial contributions may be made to National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, Md. 21741-5018 or to the Miller Schwartz Fund at Mizpah Congregation , 923 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, Tn. 37403.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com.
Arrangements are by the Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist, North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153 Hixson, Tn. 37343.