In Memoriam
April 3, 1950 - January 7, 2023
Robert Jay Schwartz, loving husband, son, brother, father, and grandfather passed away January 7, 2023, at the age of 72.
Bob was born April 3, 1950, in Flushing, NY to Jay and Dorothy Schwartz. He served 21 years in the US Air Force and 4 years in the Pentagon. He retired as a Lt Colonel in 1993. He worked for Atlantic Southwest Airlines and FedEx also. He married Lourdes Binas Schwartz December 5, ‘20 and enjoyed life together in their house on Coeur d'Alene Lake, ID.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Dorothy Schwartz.
He is survived by his wife, Lourdes; sister, Margaret Matthews; stepson, Kem Japhet Binas; stepdaughter-in-law, Carmela C. Binas; step-granddaughter, Princess Sofia C. Binas; daughter, Robin Jean O’Neil; son-in-law, Liam O’Neil, and three granddaughters, Margaret Rita, Cora Ann and Amelia Renee.
Bob’s passion was flying. He was involved with the Flying Tiger Line Pilots Association and the Gray Falcons Pilots Association. He was a member of Southside Christian Church and was often volunteering at the Food Bank generously donating his time and money.
A memorial service is being planned for July 22, 2023.
Sponsored by his good friend, Bill Helbig, Bob was voted an Honorary Tiger at the 2022 San Antonio Reunion (see picture below). He later told Bill that becoming an FTLPA member and his "honorary Flying Tiger status was one of the best things to happen to him in 2022."
Prior to FedEx, Bob Schwartz served 21 years in the USAF and 4 years in the Pentagon before retiring as a Lt. Col. in 1993. He spent some time with Atlantic Southwest Airlines before hiring on with FedEx in 1995. After sitting in just about every seat that FedEx had, and serving as a distinguished LCA in Anchorage for 13 years, Bob retired in 2015 as an MD11 Captain and lived in Worley, ID on Lake Coeur d'Alene with his with Lourdes.
Bob embraced his new Tiger friends while based in OAK and ANC and was quickly accepted into The Place - a crash pad with Bill Helbig, Hap Carpenter, Bob Cecchi, Jack Burke, Harry Monroe among others. The rest of us were all lucky to have had the chance to spend time and get to know him at the San Antonio Reunion. RIP Bob.
Anyone wishing to contribute to this page with archived pictures or testimonials is encouraged to contact us at email@flyingtigerline.org
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