George Allan Swartz
1930 – 2022
George Allan Swartz, Ph.D., age 91, from Hallandale Beach, FL died at 5pm on October 27th, 2022, in Aventura, FL of natural causes. We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our father, grandfather, husband and uncle.
George was predeceased by his parents Bertha and Miksa Swartz and brothers Milton and Bernard Swartz and his first wife, Helen Rodwin. He is survived by his wife, Muriel Swartz, and his children Susan and Peter Konderish, Neil Swartz and Susan She, and Judy and Joe Goldstein and his stepchildren Karen and Geoff Ray and Diane Sredl. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Sari Elizabeth Goldstein, Harrison Jacob Goldstein, Rachel Hanna Goldstein, Jaimie Rina Swartz, Edward Ray, and Henry and Andrea Ray and one great grandson, Liam Ray.
George was born in 1930 in Scranton, PA as the youngest son of Bertha and Miksa Swartz. His love of science and technology was evident as early as age 13 when he built his own telescope from the lens of his microscope, a cardboard tube and salvaged lenses. After graduating from Scranton Central High School, George attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1952. George was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a PhD in Physics. His dissertation was on silicon devices before integrated circuits were invented.
In 1954, George went to work for the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) at the David Sarnoff Research Center in Princeton, NJ. During his tenure there, George secured 14patents on various technology and scientific advances in solid state physics, plasma physics, and solar cells. Some of his most important advances included his work on “Amorphous Silicon” which enabled the cost of solar cells to be greatly reduced. At the age of 60, George retired (December 1990) to devote time to his favorite pastime – fishing! Prior to moving to Tavernier, FLin 1991, George and his wife Muriel lived in North Brunswick, NJ and were active members of Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick, NJ and the Princeton Jewish Center in Princeton, NJ. While living in Tavernier from 1991 until the end of September 2017, they were active members of the Keys Jewish Community Center—George served as President and Muriel served as Treasurer of the congregation.
A graveside funeral will be held at noon on Sunday, October 30that Washington Ceremony, 104 Deans Rhode Hall Road, North Brunswick, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the National Jewish Fund or plant a tree in Israel in his honor.