Richard Schwarze

Richard Schwarze, 89, of Dayton, Ohio, passed peacefully surrounded by family on September 7th, 2024. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Diana (nee Horsky), sons Eric Schwarze (Kimberlee Culverhouse), of Savannah, Georgia; Evan (Stephanie Blake) Schwarze of Vero Beach Florida; daughter, Karla Schwarze of Chicago, Illinois; daughter-in-law, Kelly Schwarze of Columbus, Indiana; three grandsons; Christopher Schwarze of Savannah, Georgia; David Schwarze of Griffin, Georgia; Tucker Schwarze (Veronica) of Columbus, Indiana, brother Robert (Bernita) Schwarze of Huntley, Illinois and several nieces and nephews across the country. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Edith; his sister, Bonnie Goldman, and his son, Kurt.

Richard was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 12, 1935. He was the oldest of three children. He graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School in 1953, and went on to attend Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin from 1954 to 1957. He served honorably in the United States Army, including two years in Bamberg, Germany. After completing his service, he attended classes at the University of Missouri in Columbia. He returned to Oak Park and become involved with “The Village Players” theatre group where he would meet Diana Horsky. They were married in December, 1963. 

In 1966, Richard accepted a job as a columnist at the Journal Herald in Dayton, Ohio, where he would stay until 1985. During his tenure, he became a well respected arts critic in the Dayton community, while earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance from The University of Dayton. After leaving the Journal Herald, he opened an art gallery in the Santa Clara Arts District in Dayton as well as starting Viva, a newspaper centered around the vibrant arts community in the Dayton area. Richard and Diana’s shared love of the arts was passed along to their children who would participate in piano lessons, classes at the Dayton Art Institute, or ballet lessons at the Dayton Ballet School. Richard and Diana gifted their children with a strong sense of responsibility and self-reliance, and took great pride in their successes. All four children were encouraged to find their passion and do their very best.

A small Celebration of Life will take place at Brookdale Assisted Living Facility, 280 Walden Way in Kettering on Thursday, September 12 from 2-4pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in remembrance can be made to the Dayton Art Institute or Hospice of Dayton.