Col. Raymond "Gene" Schwartz | Eastern NC Now

April 5, 1936 - September 6, 2020
    The book of life on Col. Raymond "Gene" Schwartz USAF (Ret) was closed on September 6, 2020 at Vidant Medical Center of Greenville, NC. Gene was born on April 5, 1936 in a southwest Iowa farmhouse. Those were the days when doctors came to the house for rural births. Gene attended Atlantic, IA, high school and Iowa State College where he received a BA in Agriculture and an interceptor and then as an aircraft commander in a B-52G. The Vietnam War enabled Gene to get back into his first love, Fighter Aircraft, where he flew the F-105G "Wild Weasel" fighter in which he accumulated 116 combat missions on two tours during the Vietnam War. The USAF then sent Gene back to school to receive an Aeronautical Engineering bachelor's degree followed by a master's degree in Systems Engineering. His last decade and a half in the USAF was in various scientific and engineering management positions such as the F-15, AWACS and Communication Systems. He retired from the USAF in 1985 after 27 years of service. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with five clusters, and numerous others. Following his retirement Gene and his wife Ellen accepted a position in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia working as an engineer for the Royal Saudi Air Force. He and Ellen lived in Saudi Arabia for nine years and they were able to travel extensively to over 35 countries around the world. Gene and Ellen returned to the USA in 1994 and retired to a new home in the Summerlin Community of Las Vegas, NV. The death of Ellen's father and the fact that most of their children lived in the eastern part of the USA resulted in them moving back to NC to help care for Ellen's mother and to be closer to the children. Ellen did enjoy being close to her mother in the last years of her life. Gene believed in service to his country and community. While in Las Vegas and in NC Gene became a substitute teacher in secondary schools. He enjoyed the interaction with young students and especially enjoyed subbing in math, science and history classes. While in NC Gene was active in the Bath St. Thomas Episcopal Church, serving numerous times on the Vestry and a leader in the church adult Christian education program. He also served as a volunteer at a local hospital where he provided over 1,000 hours of service. He was an avid reader, especially books of military, religious and political history.

    Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond & Viola Schwartz. He is survived by his wife Ellen whom he described as, "the best thin that happened to him in his life". Also surviving Gene is a son, Dr. Bradley Schwartz and his wife Amy of Decorah, IA, a daughter Lori Cahoon and her husband Dale of Kinston, NC, a step-son Lt. Col. Steven Boyd USAF (RET) and a step-daughter Karen Harrell of Waxhaw, NC. Also surviving are Gene's brother Paul Schwartz and his wife Christel of Brentwood, CA a brother Gerald Schwartz and his wife Jane of Greensboro, GA, and a sister Marlene Martin of Grain Valley, MO. Also surviving Gene were six grandchildren, one great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews throughout the country.

    Gene was a life member of the Air Force Association, Daedalians, The Red River Valley Association and the Wild Weasel Association. Gene continued to keep his civilian FAA flying credentials current from 1959 until he reached the age of 80. He enjoyed taking up family and friends who had never flown in light aircraft. He was a runner and bike rider for most of his life and estimated that he ran/biked 35,000 miles in his lifetime. He enjoyed working and playing outdoors, which is probably why he especially enjoyed the game of golf throughout his years of retirement.

    In accordance with and Ellen's wishes there will be no funeral or other celebrations of Gene's life. He always wanted those who knew him to remember him as they last saw him and for the life he lived. A family gathering will take place at the time of the interment of Gene's remains at a cemetery to be determined by Ellen.

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Schwartz family.