R.I.P. Dr Jack Schwarz - Passionate Hardyan

Donation to the Thomas Hardy Society in honour of Dr Jack Schwarz.

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Dr Schwarz, a Thomas Hardy specialist at Villanova University, U.S.

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John (Jack) Henry Schwarz, Jr. Ph.D. was born on October 2, 1936 in Brooklyn, NY to Ruth Rich Schwarz and John Henry Schwarz Sr. After graduating in 1958 from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, Jack served as an officer in the U.S. Navy, embarking upon a career that led him to the far corners of the globe. Once his naval duties were finished, he earned an M.A. in Literature at the University of Wyoming and a Ph.D. at Duke University. In 1968 he joined the faculty at Villanova University where he specialized in the study of Thomas Hardy and Victorian literature. After 34 years, he retired from his position as Associate Professor of English in 2002.

Jack was a proud and devoted father to his three sons: John, Will, and Neil. Aside from being a loving father and family man, Jack was a man of faith; a native New Yorker whose favorite sports team was from Boston; an Anglophile whose interests ranged from Shakespeare to pubs to Monty Python; a man who loved gatherings with loved ones; a fan of art, theater and music; and an avid book collector who shared his enthusiasm for books with all who met him. Those who knew Jack learned much about appreciating the nuances and symbolism in literature, and often remark that they can hardly read/re-read a classic without thinking of him. He is much missed.

Jack Schwarz was passionate about all things English, especially Dorset and its most famous son, Thomas Hardy. His infectious enthusiasm was shared by his many devoted students. In Jack's name his family have made a donation to the Thomas Hardy Society, for which we are exceptionally humbled and grateful. We intend to use it for our schools outreach program, run by our Academic Director Dr Faysal Mikdadi, whose own work promoting Hardy in schools throughout England is prodigious. We feel that this would be a fitting honour for such a wonderful man, and send our thoughts and best wishes to all of his family.

2nd October 2019.

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