Charlie Schwartz, former president of Lutheran Men in Mission, dies

by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service

Charles R. Schwartz, former president of Lutheran Men in Mission
(LMM), the men's ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA), died Aug. 10 of liver cancer. He was 72. Zion
Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, Texas, held a memorial service
Aug. 13. Schwartz is survived by his wife Geneva and son Ken,
both of Fredericksburg.

"The men of the church have lost a great leader. I have lost a
great friend. We have laughed together, we have wept together,
and we have prayed together," said Doug Haugen, LMM director.
"Charlie was probably as well known for craftsmanship in
woodworking as he was for the positions he has held with LMM.
Thousands of people throughout the United States and other parts
of the world are constantly reminded of the love of Charlie's
Savior and Lord Jesus Christ as they look at the crosses around
their necks," he said.

Schwartz served as LMM secretary from 1992 to 1996 and president
from 1996 to 2002. "In addition to his leadership, Charlie's
commitment to and enthusiasm for Lutheran Men in Mission was a
great inspiration to all of us. He was always encouraging us to
dream and think big," said Heber Rast, Cameron, S.C., LMM
president. "I always considered Charlie to be a dear friend as
well, and he will certainly be missed."

As past president, Schwartz continued to serve LMM as a member of
its development council. Texas Lutheran University, Seguin,
awarded Schwartz, a 1957 graduate, the TLU Distinguished Church
Service Award for "extraordinary service to the church."