Alan G. Schwartz Passes Away at Age 91
Posted: December 2, 2022 in Chains
Alan G. Schwartz
CHICAGO, IL – Alan G. Schwartz passed away on December 2nd, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and wife of 64 years. Over the span of his 91 years, the scope of his influence and the list of his accomplishments made it seem as if he’d lived two lifetimes. Still, it wasn’t enough for him. To the end, his “to do” list exceeded the limits of mortal imagination. Alan was born November 7, 1931, in New York City, the first child of Kevie W. Schwartz and Vera (Isaacs) Schwartz. His educational trajectory began at PS 6, followed by Phillips Academy (Andover) ’48, Yale University ’52, and Harvard Business School ’54. From a young age, sports figured prominently in his life. At Andover, Alan captained the tennis team and lettered in swimming. Despite thinking of himself as a tennis player, it was his swimming that captured the attention of Yale’s famed Coach Kiphuth. Following an AndoverYale meet, Kiphuth recruited Alan to Yale’s swim team with the following pitch: ‘”You are the biggest, fastest, dumbest swimmer I’ve ever seen. I want you on my team because I can fix that.” At Yale, Alan had a lot of fun. Part of it was as a decorated athlete; part of it as a host (along with his three roommates) to a formal gambling den; and part of it as an enthusiastic road tripper to several of the nearby all women’s colleges. So exhaustive were his exploits into the social aspect of undergraduate life that the dean of the engineering school summoned him to his office. “Mr. Schwartz”, he asked, “are you under the impression Yale is a correspondence school?” Informed of this encounter, Alan’s father Kevie arranged for his son to spend his junior year living in a single. Despite his undergraduate escapades, Harvard Business School accepted him, where he graduated with distinction. His work ethic having improved, he skipped graduation, opting instead to start work with his father in the chromium plating business in Chicago. Within a year, Alan and Kevie sold the business, and started a commercial real estate business. Alan continued his tennis career after college, going on to win eight National Championships and seven Illinois State Championships. He has been inducted into ten halls of fame, including the Intercollegiate Tennis Hall, Chicago Tennis Hall of Fame, and the Midwest Tennis Hall of Fame, and a Board Member of the Tennis Channel. He introduced the now ubiquitous 4″ baseline, as well being a co-creator of the National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP). He was instrumental in creating the US Open Series. Though he qualified for Wimbledon, he skipped the tournament figuring he’d make the cut the following year. He’s still awaiting that second qualifying record. Playing tennis in Chicago, he grew frustrated there was no suitable place to play tennis indoors throughout the winter. To solve the problem, Alan and his father built Midtown Tennis Club, then the world’s largest. Today, Midtown (now Midtown Athletic Club), is considered the world’s most successful health club. Alan began his involvement with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) by hosting the Boys 14 National Indoor Championship at Midtown beginning in 1972. In 1995, he was elected to the USTA board, and later served as President. Additionally, he served as Vice President of the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The man had a personal life, too. Set up on a blind date in 1958 by his PS 6 best friend Bob Block, Alan met and fell in love with Roslyn (Ronnie) Smulian. Three months later, they married… and ten months later, they welcomed their first born, Steven, who was followed by Andrew, Sally, and Betsy in quick succession. Ever the optimist, he booked a romantic cruise for next spring, just accepted a three-year extension to serving on the board of International Education of Students (IES), and while checking into the hospital one last time, spent an hour on the phone rearranging next week’s business meetings. Except for his record as one of the worst drivers in the history of ever, he will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our hearts are broken, but the roads are safer. Alan is survived by his wife Roslyn; his son Steven (Claudia); his daughters Sally (Louie Hondros) and Betsy (David Brint). He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Alex Schwartz (Sarah Kessler), Samantha and Alex Emmitt, Annie Schwartz (Maxx McClelland); Genevra (Nessa) and Charlotte Higginson; Karly and Jackson Brinla, Zachary Brint (Caroline MacNeille), and Alan Brint. His great-grandchildren Leo Schwartz, Riley and Jesse Emmitt also survive him, as do his sisters Audrey (Fred) Horne and Amy Lubin (Donald, deceased). He was predeceased in death by his son Andrew. There will be a memorial service at a later date, to celebrate Alan’s remarkable life. Donations in Alan’s memory would be appreciated to Foundation Fighting Blindness, www.fightingblindness.org or USTA Foundation, www.ustafoundation.com. For additional information: The Goldman Funeral Group (847) 478 – 1600.
