Robert Eugene Schwartz

Robert Eugene Schwartz, long-time Tulsa resident, passed away peacefully on Saturday after succumbing to complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 80. He was born December 21, 1935 in Kansas City, to Eugene James Schwartz, a pediatric allergist, and Bernice Grubb Schwartz. He grew up in Springfield, Missouri, and graduated from St. Agnes High School. He attended the University of Missouri where he earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering. After graduating, he received a commission as an artillery officer in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Captain before finishing his reserve commitment.

Bob, as he was known to family, friends, and colleagues, married Stella Marie Park in 1965. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past October. Bob and Stella became members of New Haven United Methodist Church, and were active with the University of Tulsa, where Bob served for decades on the Mechanical Engineering Industrial Advisory Board. He was elected to the University of Tulsa Engineering Hall of Fame in 1991.

Bob was passionate about engineering, devoted to advancing his craft and to mentoring young engineers. He was a registered professional engineer, a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the American Petroleum Institute, as well as an associate member of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society. After settling in Tulsa, Bob participated in developing the Apollo lunar module landing gear at North American Aviation. He went on to join John Zink Company, where he worked from 1967 until his retirement in 2011. During his career at Zink, Bob provided technical and business leadership in all product areas, and served in many key roles, including Vice President of the company and interim President of the John Zink Japan division.

An innovator in the field of mechanical engineering, Bob authored numerous publications and is named as an inventor on 52 U.S. patents, including the breakthrough development of acoustic sensors for flares. Providing technical direction and support to John Zink Company’s domestic and international operations, Bob was known and respected by combustion professionals the world over and widely considered an expert in the industry. He was a John Zink Burner School instructor for over thirty years and served as Director of the School for over ten years. As part of his 35-year collaboration with the American Petroleum Institute, Bob made significant contributions to several industry standards. He was co-editor of a comprehensive combustion engineering handbook that is widely recognized as the authoritative text on this technology. In 1988 he received the University of Missouri Honor Award for Distinguished Service in Engineering and in 2011 he received a lifetime achievement award from the American Petroleum Institute for his many years of valuable service.

Creative and observant, Bob displayed deep inner strength, integrity, and unshakable loyalty to those closest to him, as well as a ready wit and lively spirit. Always, he maintained a stability and level-headedness that will continue to guide and inspire all of those he touched. His legacy is the exemplary conduct of his life.

Bob was preceded in death by his son Walter, who died of cancer in 1989. He is survived by his wife Stella and daughter Karola, as well as brother Bill and his wife Elizabeth, nephew Tyler and his wife Jennifer, and great-nephew Dylan.

Bob will lie in state from 10-8pm Thursday with family receiving friends from 5-7pm at the Ninde Brookside Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held 10:00am Friday at Captain Cemetery in Skiatook with a memorial service following at 2:00pm at the New Haven United Methodist Church in Tulsa.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the University of Tulsa Stella and Robert Schwartz Dean's Scholarship Endowment Fund for Mechanical Engineering, 800 S Tucker Dr, Tulsa, OK 74104.