Elias Schwartz died on April 5, 2012. He was born on March 29, 1923 in New York City. His father, Charles Schwartz, was the son of German immigrants. Elias’ mother, Sadie Brodsky Schwartz, immigrated as a child from Odessa, Russia. Elias grew up in New York City.

Elias began his college education at the City College of New York, but his education was interrupted by World War II. During the war, Elias was a radioman and gunner in the 8th Air Force and flew 25 missions in a B17 bomber. He was shot down on November 30, 1944, receiving a shrapnel wound to his leg before parachuting into Germany. He was captured and remained a POW until the end of the war, and received the Purple Heart medal. After the war, Elias received a B.A. from New York University and an M.A. from the University of Chicago. He went on to receive his Ph.D. in English from Stanford University. While at Stanford, he met his wife, Marjory Bagby; they were married on June 6, 1953. Elias taught at the University of Notre Dame for 8 years, then for the rest of his career at the State University of New York at Binghamton (now Binghamton University). He wrote and published two scholarly books, The Mortal Worm: Shakespeare’s Master Theme and The Forms of Feeling. Elias retired and moved to a much-loved house in Carrboro, N.C. in 1985. In 2004, he and Marjory moved to Carol Woods Retirement Community in Chapel Hill.

During his life and as he was dying, Elias had a beautiful and generous spirit. He was a wonderful husband for more than 58 years to his wife, Marjory, and a loving father/grandfather to his five children and 13 grandchildren. His family enjoyed the heck out of him. He was ever glad to see us and hear news of us.

Elias loved Shakespeare, poetry, the novel Gilead (foremost among many others), hitting a good backhand, singing, grocery shopping, growing tomatoes, babies, good and bad jokes, his own jokes, thrift stores, Japanese maples, making salad, and eating good bread. He maintained an intense interest in current events and the welfare of the nation right to the end, reminding us to send off his last of many letters to the Editor of the Chapel Hill News after he was hospitalized.

Elias is survived by his wife, Marjory Schwartz; daughter, Martha Wheeler; sons Peter Schwartz and his wife Laurie, Paul Schwartz and his wife Charlotte, David Schwartz, Daniel Schwartz and his wife Beth; and by grandchildren, Kate Wheeler, Carrie Schwartz, Sarah Schwartz, Emily Schwartz, Katherine Schwartz, Mary Schwartz, Jamie Schwartz, Jesse Schwartz, Drew Schwartz, Carl Schwartz, Violet Schwartz, Rachel Schwartz, and Amy Schwartz; and by his sister, Lenore Warren and his brother, Robert Forrest. He was preceded in death by his sister Ruth.

In lieu of flowers, Elias’ family would welcome donations in his memory to any charity addressing hunger.