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Watercolor by Lowell: "We were a pretty tight group as we had a long time [3 months] together in a training camp in Baker, LA which bonded us together more than subsequent groups that did most of their training in-country and individualized. My contact with Fred in Swaziland was limited as he was in another part of the country but, as we were in town [Manzini], he would come by, visit us [the late Chris Lackey, a British Volunteer with whom I shared a house at my school, and me], do some shopping, get a real shower, a pub visit and hang out. On one of those occasions I did this hasty watercolor portrait when he had dozed off in a chair. Not sure how good of a likeness it is. He had a big bushy reddish beard by then. I remember he liked to wear an olive-green army surplus shirt. Ironically it would be the only picture I would have of him."
Fred Schwartz was a warm and lovable member of Swaziland 1, the first Peace Corps volunteer group to serve in Swaziland.
Fred died on January 11, 1970 in a highway auto accident near Piggs Peak that also took the life of South African volunteer Marcia Silver. Fred was serving as a rural development worker and engaged in a project to create a national woodcraft industry.
Across the years we Swaziland 1 Volunteers warmly remember Fred:
“I still remember well the shock of Fred’s accident. I didn’t really know Fred too much in training but we did have a wonderful weekend in Mozambique with some Portuguese friends.My memory was that he was smart and funny. What a nice combination.” -Jack Wolfe
“Fred Schwartz was a natural leader and a gung-ho friend. We had many adventures in Swaziland and never saw the dangers. It was an honor to serve with him in the experience of our lifetimes.” -Chris Matthews
“Since Fred and I were stationed at opposite ends of the country we didn’t have much contact, but it was obvious whenever we met that Fred was one of the best spirits in our “bandla”. I’ve attached the only photos [above] I made of Fred while we were there. -Steve Hank
“I remember visiting the Nsangwini Bushman Cave Paintings up in Fred’s territory somewhere in Piggs Peak, Swaziland. I would never have discovered this delightful, historical site if Fred hadn’t introduced me to the area.” -Jennifer Gill
I never saw him angry or put down anyone-he was a sweet, funny mellow and fun guy to be around.”-Cliff Sears
“Fred was the first Swaziland volunteer I met. We shared a plane ride to Baton Rouge enroute to training in Baker, LA. I remember being struck by the contrast between his excitement and enthusiasm, and my own apprehension. It was impossible to be around Fred without being drawn into his love of life and people and the things around him. He was a joyful force.” -Mike Ascolese
I’m flooded by memories of the times I spent with Fred in training and in Swaziland – among them: the clattering of the bamboo outside his residence in Hhohho, the evenings at Giulio Tambalo’s café in Piggs Peak, and (for those others of you who were fortunate enough to be there) the afternoon in Manzini when Fred regaled us campfire-style with the adventures of Fester Bestertester and Carbuncle. My sides still ache from laughing. His wit, energy and love of life were infectious and his loss was crushing. Thinking about it now brings me close to tears. -Phil Peters (Pelepele)
“When we read the letters from Fred written while he was in Swaziland, it was apparent that he had been touched so deeply by the people there—his fellow Peace Corps Volunteers and also the Swazi people that he lived and worked alongside. I truly believe that it would have impacted his world view even after his time there. Again, thanks so much for your efforts on this project—it has made Fred come to the forefront of my mind after so many years. It is true that no one is really gone as long as someone remembers them.” -Peggy Wallert [Fred’s Sister]
“We gathered for a memorial for Fred. I forget where. Our usually rowdy spirits were sobered, our always talkative group not finding words, looking at each other waiting for someone to say something. We had all had the scary mountain rides with cows in the roads along precipices with no railings. We laughed them off with all the invulnerability of youth. Suddenly it could happen; it did happen. And we lost a warm, witty and brilliant friend.” -Lowell Boileau