A life of courage and triumph over adversity came to an end all too soon this Sunday when Joe Schwartz '83 passed away.
Joe had been a star cross-country and track athlete and a history major at Haverford and later graduated from law school. At the age of 33 Joe began to suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Though almost completely paralyzed for many years, Joe not only kept up a lively and cheerful stream of messages to Haverfordians and other friends, but attended Haverford meets and championships and other events in his wheelchair.
Plans have been underway for a long time for the First Annual Joe Schwartz 3K Run/Walk, now to be held in memory of Joe on April 20, 2008. See the Athletic web page for details.
Joe is survived by a son, a high school student and runner.
The College would like to hear more stories about Joe and the impact he had on the many people
whose lives he touched. Please send any information or reminiscences you would like to see made available about this remarkable Haverfordian to gkanners@haverford.edu
--Greg Kannerstein '63
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3 comments:
Joe was a great teammate during my years at Haverford. During his illness he was a fixture at the Conference Track & Field championships. It was always a special time to see him there. His support and friendship will be greatly missed.
Douglas Mason '81
Ass't Coach
Women's Track & Field
Joe was both a great runner and a great person. When I arrived for pre-season cross-country practice as a freshman, Joe was the senior who became a friend and mentor. He was as quick with his wits as with his feet and I will sorely miss his smile and inspiration.
Howard Shelanski, '86
I will happily donate to the Joe Schwartz run because m,y classmate Joe has already saved my life once. When I sadly read in Haverford Magazine about his diagnosis with ALS I continued pursuing a set of seemingly benign sytmptoms, and 2 years later was diagnosed with a giant aneurysm in my internal carotid artery just below my brain. I was hoping to finally thank Joe in person at our reunion this spring. He was a great Ford and a man of great courage. He will be sorely missed by the world he left behind.
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