[MN-at-Large] The passing of David Schwartzkopf

[David Andrews]

>
>Federation family,
>
>I regret to inform you of the loss of David 
>Schwartzkopf, who passed away on February 13. 
>His obituary is pasted below, and his family 
>requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be 
>made to the National Federation of the Blind of 
>Minnesota. David was the first chair of the 
>State Rehabilitation Council – Blind and, as you 
>will see from the following text, no stranger to 
>advocacy work. He was also a member of our federation family for many years.
>
>Please keep the Schwartzkopf family in your thoughts and prayers.
>
>Kindly,
>
>Ryan
>
>
>
>Obituary
>
>David Schwartzkopf
>
>Feb 13, 2022
>
>Longtime resident of Rochester, David Allen 
>Schwartzkopf, died on February 13, 2022, he was 
>79. David was born in Pulaski, Wisconsin to 
>Lillie and William Schwartzkopf on June 11, 
>1942. From birth, David had Cerebral Palsy and 
>developed Macular Degeneration as a child which 
>caused the slow loss of his vision. He was 
>identified as Intellectually Disabled in his 
>early school years. Fortunately, two teachers 
>thought David should have an IQ test; his score 
>was very high. He would graduate from Pulaski 
>High School in 1960 then attain degrees in 
>Mathematics and Physics at the University of Wisconsin.
>
>
>
>David was hired at IBM in 1967 as a Systems 
>Programmer in Poughkeepsie, New York. He then 
>transferred to IBM Rochester as a Systems 
>Programmer. David was instrumental in the 
>development of a process for small computers to 
>print Braille. He was also a key contributor in 
>System 3 software. IBM Boca Raton was David's 
>next assignment. David then returned to IBM 
>Rochester, where he would retire after 30 years. 
>During his first Rochester assignment, IBM 
>graciously donated his services to the State of 
>Minnesota. David was appointed as the Assistant 
>Commissioner of Rehabilitation, then received a 
>commendation for his service from Rudy Perpich.
>
>
>
>The appointment was the beginning of a lifetime 
>of commitment to advocacy for the disabled 
>community. David's independence and belief in 
>the abilities of ALL would be an inspiration to 
>many. He would serve on multiple boards and 
>commissions to support disabled individuals 
>right to work and live independently. He used 
>his experience to assist in the creation of The 
>Americans with Disabilities Act. David was also 
>the Workforce Development Manager for the 
>Goodwill Easter Seals in St. Paul, MN and the 
>Executive Director for Southeast Minnesota 
>Center for Independent Living in Rochester, MN.
>
>
>
>Throughout his career in the private and public 
>sectors, David received numerous awards. Two 
>awards were from presidents, three from 
>governors, and one from the mayor of Rochester. 
>Several other agencies also formally recognized 
>David. George H. W. Bush personally presented 
>the 1990 Disabled American of the Year Award to 
>David in Washington D.C. The city of Rochester 
>awarded David the Medal of Honor in 1987. 
>David's smile was a mile wide when he and others 
>represented the disabled community as a torch 
>bearer in 1996 Olympic Torch Relay.
>
>
>
>David was a man of keen intellect and limitless 
>ability. His life was a testament to the 
>importance of astute educators, publicly minded 
>corporations and an indomitable spirit.
>
>
>
>David is survived by four stepchildren, Deborah 
>(John) Erar, Robert Martin, Jr. (Olivia Nyhus), 
>Michael (Jodi) Martin and Thomas Martin; sister, 
>Jeanne Davis, 9 grandchildren, 15 
>great-grandchildren and several nieces and 
>nephews. He was preceded in death by wife, Jean 
>Martin; mother, Lillie Schwartzkopf and brother, William Schwartzkopf.
>
>
>
>Due to Covid-19, a limited local Celebration of 
>Life will be held by invitation only. A Family 
>and Friends Celebration of Life will be held in 
>Hibbing, Minnesota in June of 2022. Details will 
>be posted in the Rochester Post Bulletin. In 
>lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be 
>made to the National Federation for the Blind of 
>Minnesota (nfbmn.org). Ranfranz and Vine Funeral 
>Home is honored to be serving the Schwartzkopf family.
>
>
>
>Services
>
>There are no events scheduled.
>
>
>
>Care, Commitment, and Compassion.  Our funeral 
>directors are here for you 24/7.
>
>Info
>
>5421 Royal Place NW
>
>Rochester, MN 55901
>
><mailto:office at ranfranzandvinefh.com>office at ranfranzandvinefh.com
>
>Call Us: 507-289-3600
>
>Fax Us: 507-289-5873
>
>
>
>Copyright © 2022 Ranfranz and Vine Funeral 
>Homes. Social Site by Funeral Innovations
>
>
>
>From: Judy Sanders 
><<mailto:jsanders.nfb at comcast.net>jsanders.nfb at comcast.net>
>Sent: Friday, February 18, 2022 4:08 PM
>To: 'Jennifer Dunnam' 
><<mailto:jennifer.dunnam1829 at gmail.com>jennifer.dunnam1829 at gmail.com>; 
>'Steve Jacobson' 
><<mailto:steve.jacobson at outlook.com>steve.jacobson at outlook.com>
>Subject: FW: David Schwarzkopf
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>From: Judy Sanders 
><<mailto:jsanders.nfb at comcast.net>jsanders.nfb at comcast.net>
>Sent: Friday, February 18, 2022 4:06 PM
>To: 'NFBMN President' <<mailto:president at nfbmn.org>president at nfbmn.org>
>Subject: David Schwarzkopf
>
>
>
>Ryan,
>
>
>
>Yesterday, you should have received a text from 
>a member of David’s family telling you of his 
>passing on Feb. 13. She specifically said on the 
>phone with me that David wanted donations to go 
>to the NFBMN. This should probably go out to all members.
>
>
>
>I’m not sure if you knew him; if not. Jennifer, Steve or I can help.
>
>
>
>Judy
>
>
>
>Ryan Strunk, President
>
>Pronouns: he, him, his
>
><http://www.nfb.org>www.nfb.org
>
>www.nfbmn.org
>
>(612) 872-9363
>
>Live the life you Want.
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