BoatUS chairman and founder Richard Schwartz passed away in February after a short illness. He was 85.
Since the early 1960s, Schwartz fought for legislation on behalf of boaters, and his efforts at shaping national boating policy helped secure passage of the Recreational Boating Safety and Facilities Improvement Act of 1979. He led BoatUS in opening a nationwide chain of 62 BoatUS retail stores, and also helped to create the BoatUS 501(c)(3) nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water.
Condolences may be sent to the Schwartz family by visiting boatus.com/richard.
