Bernard Schwartz | Business executive, 86

Bernard Schwartz, 86, of Bala Cynwyd, a retired business executive and philanthropist, died of cancer Sept. 3 at Saunders House in Wynnewood.

Mr. Schwartz grew up in West Oak Lane and Wynnefield, and graduated form Overbrook High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Pennsylvania State University, where he was a founder and president of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity chapter.

He worked briefly for the Girard Bank before joining his father's company, Globe Rubber Products. The firm manufactured materials for the automotive industry, and during World War II produced gaskets for anti-aircraft guns.

Mr. Schwartz sold the business and retired in 1969. He became bored, his wife, Lois Welsh Schwartz said, and in 1976 he and son Robert started a new business, Food Sciences Corp., in Mount Laurel. The company produces nutritional products for the diet and supplemental food industries. His employees loved him, his wife said. He worked until he was 83.

He contributed to several charities, she said, and had a special desire to help children. In the mid-1980s, he and his son established the Schwartz Family Foundation to aid underprivileged children in the United States and Israel.

In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Schwartz is survived by a daughter, Nanci Gilberg, and four grandchildren.

A funeral service was Thursday at Congregation Adath Israel in Merion. Burial was in Mount Sharon Cemetery, Springfield, Delaware County.