John Swarts

John M. 'Jack' Swarts died suddenly at Akron General Hospital on August 3 2006 after a long illness. A life-long resident of the Akron area Jack was born in Barberton on March 25 1927 and graduated from Barberton High School. He served as a G2 investigator in the U.S. Army from 1945-1946 in Japan. Following the war he enrolled at Akron University on the GI Bill majoring in Chemistry. He graduated in 1949 and did an additional year of graduate work in Organic Chemistry. Jack was widely read in the sciences and stayed current in specific areas of scientific interest throughout his life. He was a life-long member of the American Chemical Society and the Akron Rubber Group. He was an accomplished bridge player enjoyed watching sports listening to music and he was devoted to his family. In 1950 Jack joined the Seiberling Tire and Rubber Company in Barberton as a Chemist. In 1951 he married Jeannine Rae Dye of Barberton. In 1954 Jack was transferred to Bogota Colombia in a technical agreement with a start-up company. In Colombia Jack managed the construction of a new tire plant as well as serving as plant manager. The family returned to Ohio in 1960. In 1964 Jack was transferred in a similar agreement to oversee the construction of a plant in Bari Italy returning to Ohio in 1965. In 1966 Jack joined BF Goodrich where he was Manager of General Compounding. He traveled extensively in support of company technical agreements including those in India and the former Yugoslavia. Jack also testified in court as an expert witness on tire technology during his career. He retired from BF Goodrich in 1988. Jack's commitment to chemistry and his job at BF Goodrich led to the development of two patents (US Patents 4 068 041 & 4 148 769) that solved persistent problems of steel cord separation in radial tires. In the February 2002 issue of Rubber World an article by Jack summarized the underlying concepts and technology of these inventions. Jack was preceded in death by his father John 'Red' Michael Swartz his mother Martha (Wowra) Swartz of Cuyahoga Falls and his two brothers Dr. Donald E. Swarts of Grand Island NY and Richard M. Swarts of Kenmore. Jack's wife of 55 years Jeannine five children and thirteen grandchildren survive: Son Dr. J. Douglas Swarts and wife Maria of Pittsburgh grandchildren Samuel and Anna; Son Jeffrey M. Swarts and wife Patricia of Danville OH grandchildren Gabriel and wife; Katie of Kent Benjamin of Detroit and Brian of New York City; Daughter Janice A. Heighway of North Canton and grandchildren Rae Hamilton (Matthew) of Medina Coree John and Scott of North Canton; Daughter Susan Steen and husband William of Paris France and grandchildren Siobhan and Allanah; and Son Robert Swarts and wife Debra of Reston VA and grandchildren Rachel and Catherine. The family invites neighbors and friends to celebrate Jack's life of commitment friendship and love at the Swarts' home at 3741 South Sunnyfield Copley OH on Sunday August 6 2006 from 1-5 PM. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM. The family requests that any gifts be forwarded as donations to the Copley Fire & Rescue Squad 1540 South Cleveland-Massillon Road Copley 44321 whose work throughout Jack's illness has been exemplary.