John B. Schwartz, 98, Rapid City died Tuesday Nov. 25, 2008 at Westhills Village Healthcare. John was born March 12, 1910 in Freeman, SD to Bernhard and Anna (Miller) Schwartz. He was the youngest of four brothers. When he was one year old, his parents homesteaded on a farm north of Bloomfield, MT. He attended a one room country school one and one half miles from home. In 1921, the family moved back to Freeman. He graduated from Freeman High School in 1929 and attended Freeman Junior College for one year. John received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yankton College (Cum Laude) in 1933. He attended summer sessions at Southern State, Springfield, SD; the University of SD, Vermillion, SD; Stout Institute, Menomonie, WI. He received his Masters Degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, CO in 1952. While in Colorado, he was inducted into Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity. Being interested in young people, he decided to go into the teaching profession. He taught on the high school level in Ideal, Highmore and Mobridge and taught mathematics for 30 years in Rapid City High School and Rapid City Central High School. On June 9, 1950, John married Doris A Plummer, a Junior High teacher in St Cloud, MN. The union was a very amiable relationship. There may not always have been full agreement on matters, but not once was there an argument. In Rapid City, Doris taught at South Junior High. John was an active member of the community. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as deacon and trustee. In the 50’s he was a member of the Elks men’s chorus. He was also a member of the SDEA and NEA. On retirement he joined the Black Hills Retired Teachers and was vice president of the SDEA Mathematics teachers for two years; served as chairman of the Black Hills Mathematics contest for several years. This contest was later taken over by the School of Mines and Technology which is still active. John’s son Byron was active in the Boys Scout and John served on the Annie Talent Boy Scout board. He was the faculty advisor for the Kiwanis high school Key Club; a member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club where he served as secretary from 1985 to 1998. In 1942 John was inducted into the US Air Force and was stationed for four and a half years at Mickam Field Air Base, Honolulu, HI. John is survived by his son, Byron ‘Buzz’ Schwartz, Rapid City; and 3 grandsons, Jonathan Schwartz, Rapid City; Bryant Schwartz, Bozeman, MT and Bryson Schwartz, presently stationed in Iraq and a great granddaughter, Mia Schwartz. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Albert and wife Edna; Paul and wife Emma and Felix and wife Henrietta. The family greatly enjoyed the Black Hills and took many trips to enjoy the scenery. In the early 60’s the family built a home 10 miles west on Hwy 44 where Bryon now lives.