Walter W. Schwartz of Plainview, an artist and comic book illustrator during the golden age of comics, died of pneumonia June 30 at North Shore University Hospital, Plainview. He was 89.
During the 1940s, he was among the illustrators of the "Captain Midnight" comic books, his son, Alan Schwartz of Dix Hills, said. "Captain Midnight" comics were launched by Dell Comics in 1941 and subsequently published by Fawcett Publications.
"He never really said or made a big deal out of it," Schwartz said. "To him it was just something that he did and a labor of love."
After "Captain Midnight," Schwartz's career turned to advertising art. From the 1950s through the 1970s he was associated with the Michel-Cather advertising agency in Manhattan, illustrating ads that would appear in publications including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
He retired in the 1970s and in the 1980s returned to work as advertising director in the Melville office of Mergenthaler Linotype Co., which manufactured typesetting equipment.
But his family said although he had an accomplished career, his legacy to them will be his love and commitment to family.
Walter Schwartz was born on Nov. 30, 1921, to Philip and Dora Schwartz. He grew up in Brooklyn and attended New York University, where he was on the football team. He graduated in 1941.
He met his wife-to-be, Harriet Schenk, at a sweet 16 party and they married in 1943. They lived in Plainview for 45 years in a home where many of his works were displayed.
In the past two years, Schwartz had developed health problems, including a stroke and a heart attack. His wife died June 8, days after their 68th wedding anniversary.
"He died of a broken heart," said his daughter-in-law, Riva Schwartz of Dix Hills, who described him as "charismatic, dashing and debonair."
Twenty-five years ago, Schwartz painted figures on the walls of the nursery of his first grandson, Robbie. The walls remain untouched today, she said.
Other survivors include a daughter, Carole Schwartz of Wilton, Conn., and two grandsons. Funeral services were held July 1 at Gutterman's in Woodbury, with burial at Wellwood Cemetery in Pinelawn.
Newsday (Long Island, NY) — Thursday, July 14, 2011
During the 1940s, he was among the illustrators of the "Captain Midnight" comic books, his son, Alan Schwartz of Dix Hills, said. "Captain Midnight" comics were launched by Dell Comics in 1941 and subsequently published by Fawcett Publications.
"He never really said or made a big deal out of it," Schwartz said. "To him it was just something that he did and a labor of love."
After "Captain Midnight," Schwartz's career turned to advertising art. From the 1950s through the 1970s he was associated with the Michel-Cather advertising agency in Manhattan, illustrating ads that would appear in publications including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
He retired in the 1970s and in the 1980s returned to work as advertising director in the Melville office of Mergenthaler Linotype Co., which manufactured typesetting equipment.
But his family said although he had an accomplished career, his legacy to them will be his love and commitment to family.
Walter Schwartz was born on Nov. 30, 1921, to Philip and Dora Schwartz. He grew up in Brooklyn and attended New York University, where he was on the football team. He graduated in 1941.
He met his wife-to-be, Harriet Schenk, at a sweet 16 party and they married in 1943. They lived in Plainview for 45 years in a home where many of his works were displayed.
In the past two years, Schwartz had developed health problems, including a stroke and a heart attack. His wife died June 8, days after their 68th wedding anniversary.
"He died of a broken heart," said his daughter-in-law, Riva Schwartz of Dix Hills, who described him as "charismatic, dashing and debonair."
Twenty-five years ago, Schwartz painted figures on the walls of the nursery of his first grandson, Robbie. The walls remain untouched today, she said.
Other survivors include a daughter, Carole Schwartz of Wilton, Conn., and two grandsons. Funeral services were held July 1 at Gutterman's in Woodbury, with burial at Wellwood Cemetery in Pinelawn.
Newsday (Long Island, NY) — Thursday, July 14, 2011
Walter W. Schwartz of Plainview, an artist and comic book illustrator during the golden age of comics, died of pneumonia June 30 at North Shore University Hospital, Plainview. He was 89.
During the 1940s, he was among the illustrators of the "Captain Midnight" comic books, his son, Alan Schwartz of Dix Hills, said. "Captain Midnight" comics were launched by Dell Comics in 1941 and subsequently published by Fawcett Publications.
"He never really said or made a big deal out of it," Schwartz said. "To him it was just something that he did and a labor of love."
After "Captain Midnight," Schwartz's career turned to advertising art. From the 1950s through the 1970s he was associated with the Michel-Cather advertising agency in Manhattan, illustrating ads that would appear in publications including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
He retired in the 1970s and in the 1980s returned to work as advertising director in the Melville office of Mergenthaler Linotype Co., which manufactured typesetting equipment.
But his family said although he had an accomplished career, his legacy to them will be his love and commitment to family.
Walter Schwartz was born on Nov. 30, 1921, to Philip and Dora Schwartz. He grew up in Brooklyn and attended New York University, where he was on the football team. He graduated in 1941.
He met his wife-to-be, Harriet Schenk, at a sweet 16 party and they married in 1943. They lived in Plainview for 45 years in a home where many of his works were displayed.
In the past two years, Schwartz had developed health problems, including a stroke and a heart attack. His wife died June 8, days after their 68th wedding anniversary.
"He died of a broken heart," said his daughter-in-law, Riva Schwartz of Dix Hills, who described him as "charismatic, dashing and debonair."
Twenty-five years ago, Schwartz painted figures on the walls of the nursery of his first grandson, Robbie. The walls remain untouched today, she said.
Other survivors include a daughter, Carole Schwartz of Wilton, Conn., and two grandsons. Funeral services were held July 1 at Gutterman's in Woodbury, with burial at Wellwood Cemetery in Pinelawn.
Newsday (Long Island, NY) — Thursday, July 14, 2011
During the 1940s, he was among the illustrators of the "Captain Midnight" comic books, his son, Alan Schwartz of Dix Hills, said. "Captain Midnight" comics were launched by Dell Comics in 1941 and subsequently published by Fawcett Publications.
"He never really said or made a big deal out of it," Schwartz said. "To him it was just something that he did and a labor of love."
After "Captain Midnight," Schwartz's career turned to advertising art. From the 1950s through the 1970s he was associated with the Michel-Cather advertising agency in Manhattan, illustrating ads that would appear in publications including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
He retired in the 1970s and in the 1980s returned to work as advertising director in the Melville office of Mergenthaler Linotype Co., which manufactured typesetting equipment.
But his family said although he had an accomplished career, his legacy to them will be his love and commitment to family.
Walter Schwartz was born on Nov. 30, 1921, to Philip and Dora Schwartz. He grew up in Brooklyn and attended New York University, where he was on the football team. He graduated in 1941.
He met his wife-to-be, Harriet Schenk, at a sweet 16 party and they married in 1943. They lived in Plainview for 45 years in a home where many of his works were displayed.
In the past two years, Schwartz had developed health problems, including a stroke and a heart attack. His wife died June 8, days after their 68th wedding anniversary.
"He died of a broken heart," said his daughter-in-law, Riva Schwartz of Dix Hills, who described him as "charismatic, dashing and debonair."
Twenty-five years ago, Schwartz painted figures on the walls of the nursery of his first grandson, Robbie. The walls remain untouched today, she said.
Other survivors include a daughter, Carole Schwartz of Wilton, Conn., and two grandsons. Funeral services were held July 1 at Gutterman's in Woodbury, with burial at Wellwood Cemetery in Pinelawn.
Newsday (Long Island, NY) — Thursday, July 14, 2011
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