Stephen Schwartz

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Dr. Stephen Schwartz on December 27, 2024 at his home in Pleasantville NY.

Steve was predeceased by his wife Iris (née Harris) in 2021.

Steve is survived by his two daughters Andrea Knudson (Christopher) and Judith March (Dan) who reside in Montana. He has six grandchildren: Zachary, Emilee (Keith Robins), Tessa, Samantha (Patrick Hartoonian), Cole and Joe (Hannah). He also has two great grandsons: Theodore Robins and James March. Steve is also survived by his sister, Nancy Mayers, and brother, James. Steve was lucky to live in the same town as his nephews Michael Mayers (Leyla Nakisbendi) and Matthew Mayers (Beth) and their children Aliya, Aydin, Maia, Samantha and Meredith who called him Unkie. He was cared for at the end of his life by Leyla and Michael.

Steve was born in White Plains, NY to Marc and Rose Schwartz (née Fichtenbaum) and was a graduate of White Plains High School.

Steve was a graduate of Columbia College where he was on the varsity swimming and tennis teams. He completed his medical degree at Duke University School of Medicine and his surgical internship at the University of Virginia followed by a surgical residency at Duke University. Steve received his orthopedics training at Johns Hopkins University.

Following his medical and surgical training, Steve served in the Navy in Vietnam. In an interview by a local newspaper upon his return, it was reported that he was stationed 80 miles from the DMZ where most casualties were seen within 15 minutes. Steve described in the article how the staff of 80 saw 30000 patients during the Tet offensive. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Medical Corps of the US Naval Reserve.

Following the war, he returned to White Plains to work in his father's orthopedic medicine practice. He later went into solo practice in White Plains. He was on staff for 40+ years at White Plains Hospital Center. Steve also worked in the NY Prison system and later for an insurance company.

Steve was famous for the "clinics" he held in his house where friends and family members were often examined on the kitchen table. While his thumbs had an innate ability for finding the exact place that hurt the most, he was otherwise very gentle and thorough in his treatment and often on the cutting edge of treatment modalities.

Steve, with his wife Iris, loved to travel and dine in good restaurants. Ski trips to Breckenridge were a yearly occurrence, often with friends or family. He loved to putter in his garden. Watching his enjoyment while sitting at a meal together, was an experience not to be forgotten.

At the end of his life, Steve was cared for by the "Irish Angels" as his sister Nancy dubbed them. Liz, Esther and Helen are gentle, entertaining and empathetic caregivers who made the last part of Steve's life calm and happy. In the last three years, he was also attended by Hospice of Westchester whose staff was always available when there was a crisis or when the family needed support. His primary nurse, Venetta, became part of Steve's circle of friends. We are also grateful for his social worker, Christine, and the art therapist who visited from Hospice.

Steve also received music therapy from InVibe Creative Arts Therapy. Eric visited twice a week for four years and provided so much entertainment and therapy while engaging Steve's beautiful voice. It was always fun to be a guest at one of his sessions. We've even had family members and neighbors join in with trumpet, guitar and percussion over the years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of Westchester. (hospiceofwestchester.org) in gratitude for the wonderful care he received.