Herbert Rees Schwarz passed away on May 26, 2008, Memorial Day, at the age of 96. He was born in Pawtucket, RI, son of the late Herbert F. and Gertrude E. Schwarz of Saylesville, RI.

Mr. Schwarz attended Moses Brown School in Providence, RI, and went on to graduate from MIT with a degree in chemical engineering. During his working career in New York City, he was responsible for product and market development of industrial textiles for Wellington Sears Company, which was later acquired by West Point Pepperell. He was a contributing author/editor of the Wellington Sears Handbook of Industrial Textiles, which is a highly regarded textile reference book. Mr. Schwarz served as a Navy lieutenant during WWII, including sea duty in the Pacific.

Rees, as he was known to friends, married Emmy-Lu Chester on Nov. 2, 1940. In 1953 they moved to Port Washington to raise their three children and where he enjoyed sailing, tennis and walking. In 1997, Mr. and Mrs. Schwarz moved to Charlottesville, VA, and subsequently to Mt. Pleasant, SC.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Emmy-Lu Schwarz of Mt. Pleasant; a son Kenneth Holmes Schwarz of Mt. Pleasant; two daughters, Nancy Rees Schwarz Miller of Port Washington and Elizabeth Terry Schwarz of Raleigh, NC; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Eric Douglas Schwarz and his sister Dorothy Phyllis Sweeney.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date in Providence, RI. Contributions in his memory may be made to the charity of your choice.