Clearwater - In Memoriam: Vic Schwarz

In Memoriam: Vic Schwarz

It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Vic Schwarz.

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 2pm at the Garrison Fish and Game Club. Charitable donations may be made in Vic’s name to Clearwater Sloop Restoration Fund in the right-hand sidebar, or by calling 845-454-7673. For information about the memorial celebration, visit the Friends of Vic website or call 631-891-9701.

Use this secure online form to give a Gift in memory of Vic Schwarz. All gifts will be applied to the Sloop Restoration Fund.

Vic Schwarz
Memorial Donation

	Please keep me informed with occasional updates and announcements from Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.

Clearwater is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.

Sloop Restoration

History tells us that most sloops have a useful lifespan of only 10-15 years and the Clearwater has been going strong for over 30! While we’ve made a number of significant (and necessary) repairs over the last few years we now have to face the daunting task of replacing the entire hull, including planking and some frames, and to inspect the horn timber.

This massive undertaking will cost $500,000 but is long overdue and must be done if the sloop is to remain America’s Environmental Flagship. This work is so important that the State of New York has offered us a dollar for dollar matching grant of up to $250,000 to make sure we get it done.

This is a great opportunity! Every dollar we raise for this sloop restoration will be matched by a dollar in grant funds from the State. If we can raise the $250,000 match we can accomplish this important project for half-price and avoid tying up even more of our organizational dollars!

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