Obituary: Michael Schwarz

Surrounded by his loving family, Michael Schwarz passed away on April 14, 2026, just shy of his 89th birthday. Born in Breslau, Germany, Michael was the son of Greta and Hermann Schwarz. He came to the U.S. with his parents and sister, Eva, in 1938 and they settled in Savannah, Ga.

He is survived by Marcia, his soulmate and wife of nearly 65 years, sons, Herman (Lori), Barry (Francie), Greg (Deborah), and Steven (Jennifer), grandchildren, Jason (Melissa), Kayla (Jacob), Marissa, Max (fiancé Jessica), Mollie, Genna, Kori, and Emma, great-grandchildren, Eilah and Shai, sister, Eva Odrezin, sister-in-law, Linda Cranman (Marvin), nephews, Larry Odrezin (Judy), Gregory Odrezin (Jamie), Eric Palefsky (Claire), and Sheldon Palefsky (Lainie).

Michael attended the University of Georgia where he majored in accounting and served as president of TEP fraternity. As one of the first Jewish professionals hired by Arthur Andersen in the Atlanta office, he rose to tax partner overseeing the national real estate tax practice. He retired from Arthur Andersen in 1991 to begin a new chapter consulting for several of his favorite clients and investing in real estate and other endeavors.

Michael had a strong passion for giving back to the community, especially the Jewish community, which he did in many ways such as serving on UJA’s National Young Leadership Cabinet, on the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta for many years, and as founding co-chair of the Atlanta Jewish Foundation. He was a financial supporter of many other causes particularly those centering on Israel and Holocaust survivors/education.

A loving and adoring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Michael was admired personally and professionally by all. His dedication to his family, professional success, and humble generosity serve as a role model for the 22 Schwarz family members and all others in his world.

A funeral service was held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, at Arlington Memorial Park, 201 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Israel Parasport Center (Empowering Life Without Limits – Israel ParaSport Center) or Federation’s Holocaust Survivor Support Fund (Holocaust Survivor Support Fund – Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta). Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.