Leander J. Schwartz died and I, Helen, lost my best friend. We did everything together EXCEPT the Iola car show!

He was born the son of Irene and Henry Schwartz, who operated a dairy farm in Manitowoc County, in 1932. He grew up there, was schooled at St. Fidelis Country Grade School, graduated from Kiel High School and continued his education at UW-Platteville College and later UW-Madison, attaining his PhD in Botany.  He was married in 1957 to LaVonna Mellor of Platteville, WI. They had a son, Brian, in 1958. In 1961, LaVonna was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and died suddenly. In 1964, he remarried to Helen Magnani of Appleton, WI who was also widowed, and had a son, David.

Upon completion of Leander's PhD degree, he took a position at UW-Fox Valley campus where he was awarded "teacher of the year", and soon after, was appointed Dean of the campus (1969-1972). In 1965, the new four year University of Wisconsin-Green Bay was being established and he decided he would like to become part of its development. He left Fox Valley and joined UWGB in 1972. His career at UWGB included Chair of Biology. He taught classes that stimulated his interest in Waste Management. He had his students work with him in conducting projects for the Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District, Green Bay Packerland Packing, as well as The Pharmaceutical company, Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago. He and three other professors collaborated writing and publishing a book, 'Waste management-Resource Recovery'. Leander received the UW-Green Bay award for Excellence in Institutional Development in 1996 and also served as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in 1982 to 1988.

Lee served his country in the US Army as a combat engineer and spent 16 months in Okinawa.

His community services started with the St. Vincent de Paul Society in 1964 and continued until his death. He also volunteered as a lector at St. Bernard Church, supported and volunteered with Joshua - Peace and Justice, League of Women Voters, the UWGB Learning in Retirement program, Board member for The Bellin School of Nursing and Brown County Mediation Board. He and his wife, Helen, opened their home as a halfway house for juveniles re-entering community life. He and Helen also opened their home as a Host Family for A Better Chance program. In 1978 to 1979, he served as an alternate on the Medical Malpractice Patients Compensation Panel for the State of Wisconsin.

He leaves behind his wife, Helen, sons, Brian Schwartz, (Hannah Schwartz, Camille Schwartz), David Magnani (Molly) Dylan and Alex Magnani, Carver, Madison, Haley Magnani, Lousie Lunde (sister), Wayne Olm family, Robert Leitner family, Father Joe Wolf, Dale Family, John and Tom Wolf families, and Kinzer family.

Significant Others: Deborah Lee Kane, Dr. Ira and Denise Rock, Edward and Kathy McCarthy, Janine and Joe Micke, Liz Ferris, Pamela Gantz and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial gathering will be held on Tuesday, April 23 from 10:00 - 11:00 AM at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 130 St Matthew's St, Green Bay. Funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM. Online condolences are welcome at www.PfotenhauerFuneralHome.com.

Thank you to all caregivers: Compassus Hospice, Home Instead, and the many friends who gave me such wonderful support. ~Helen Schwartz

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Vincent de Paul and/or the UWGB Scholarship Fund.

Pfotenhauer Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, East Town, is assisting the family.