Arnold Victor (Vic) Schwarz of Cold Spring, New York, passed away on Wednesday,
September 3rd at Hudson Valley Hospital following a 14-year battle with cancer. He was 76 years old.
Vic was born on April 21, 1932 in Kingston, New York, to Arnold F. Schwarz and
Helene Lawless Schwarz. He was raised in Newburgh and worked in his Father’s pharmacy in Beacon when not attending school.
He graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1950.
Following his graduation from Pratt Institute in 1953, Vic was drafted into
the Army and served in Korea as a field photographer in the Corps of Engineers. Upon returning to the United States, he was
stationed in Mineral Wells, Texas. After an honorable discharge, Vic returned to the Hudson Valley where he met Linda Schuler
when both were singers in the Philipstown Chorale. They married on January 4, 1959, and settled in Cold Spring, New York,
where they raised their three children.
An accomplished musician, historian, and conservationist, Vic and longtime
friend Pete Seeger collaborated to realize their vision of inspiring and mobilizing people to save the Hudson River from pollution
and neglect. Their combined vision brought about the creation of the sailing ship Clearwater, a replica Hudson River Sloop
that continues to be used as an environmental educational tool. Their activities in support of Clearwater were the beginning
of Riverfests and are acknowledged by historians and conservationists as being the birth of the environmentalist movement
in the United States, as well as inspiring similar projects around the world.
Vic’s interest in bookmaking and printing led to his career as a
book designer and hobby of wood engraving and printing. He owned and operated Mt. Taurus Press, a working restoration of a
19th century print shop in Nelsonville, New York, for over ten years. There he created a series of Hudson River
prints that became classic representations of his work as an artist and a print maker.
Vic returned to his musician-environmentalist roots with his active participation
in the formation of the Little Stony Point Citizen’s Association. This grass-roots organization of local people is dedicated
to the preservation and care of Little Stony Point, one of the very few sandy beaches along the Hudson River. As president
of the Association, one of his proudest achievements was pursuing and obtaining the funding necessary for the replacement
of the formerly condemned bridge, which was the only access to the site. The beach is now a very popular recreation area on
the Hudson River.
When Vic was diagnosed with cancer in 1994, he decided to devote
his time to what made him happiest. Vic established a small business as a luthier, repairing and building acoustic stringed
instruments. His business as a luthier led many musicians to his door, and Vic became an enthusiastic performer with friends,
his group, Acoustic Workshop, and became a fairly regular performer at the legendary Guinan’s in Garrison, New
York. As Vic’s declining health curtailed many of his activities, a dedicated group of friends would often gather at
Vic’s house to play music with, and sometimes for, him.
Vic is survived by his wife, Linda Schuler Schwarz; his son Carl
Victor Schwarz of Lake Carmel, NY and grandchildren Tyler and Elliot Schwarz; his daughter Maria Joy Schwarz Rodriguez and
son-in-law Oscar Rodriguez of Blue Point, NY and grandchildren Carl, Lauren, Melanie, and Arlo Rodriguez; his daughter Julann
Mae Schwarz Cobb and son-in-law John Cobb of Beacon, NY and grandchildren Ethan and Miles Cobb.
Vic’s life will be honored in a gathering of his many of friends
and loved ones, sharing music and fond memories in his honor. Friends are invited to participate in this celebration
of Vic Schwarz’s life on Sunday, October 19th at 2:00 p.m. at the Garrison Fish and Game Club. In honor
of Vic’s legacies, charitable donations may be made in his name to Little Stony Point Citizen’s Association or
to Clearwater, Inc. For information about the memorial celebration or making donations, go to: friendsofvic.com or call
(631)891-9701.
