Alan Schwartz Obituary

June 20, 1947 - September 26, 2024 A life well lived.

Alan was born in Torrance, California in 1947 to Ella (Levy) Schwartz. He attended Torrance High School before earning his B.A. at University of California, Santa Barbara; earning his JD degree from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law; and a Certificate of Merit in International Jurisprudence from the McGeorge School of Law. 

Alan Schwartz was a proud father to Adam R. Schwartz. He joyously shared his worldliness, traveling together to more than a dozen countries over four continents. Their experiences spanned from savoring a dinner in the Eiffel Tower to kayaking in the Amazon. Continuing the family tradition of civic engagement at all levels, Alan shared the fruits of his political endeavors with his son: Adam met Bill Clinton, attended Obama's inauguration, and heard stories of Alan's meeting with Eleanor Roosevelt & JFK. 

Alan had an uncanny ability to connect with animals. His friends would always say that they would want to come back in their next lives as one of Alan's pets. In his final years, Alan had a beautiful Australian Shepard named Lady, with whom he shared an unbelievable bond. 

In the business world, Alan headed Asset Management Solutions, a company that managed & developed real estate and oversaw a diversified portfolio, built upon the legacy of his esteemed grandfather, Sam Levy: a pioneer in the South Bay of Los Angeles and a noted philanthropist. Alan sheparded the Levy legacy into its second century, having been founded in 1919.

Alan had a 25 year career in the entertainment industry, brushing shoulders with the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Bernadette Peters, and Cher. Alan had a particular emphasis on negotiating International Television Licensing Agreements. He traveled the globe and made deals with broadcasting, cable, and satellite companies in scores of countries. He was also a talent agent at William Morris and ICM. Alan had appeared in front of the camera, hosting a Public Affairs Program for Time Warner Cable and as a broadcaster for the New Zealand Broadcasting Company. 

Along with his business career, Alan was deeply committed to civic affairs and was actively involved in organizations and causes that contributed to the cultural and economic well-being of society. Alan had the distinction of serving four years as President of Royce Center Circle. He was a member of the Advisory Board of the UCLA School of Arts and Architecture. A champion of arts education in schools, Alan served as a Trustee of the California Summer School of the Arts, a position appointed by the Governor of California. 

Long active in the Jewish community, Alan served on the Board of Governors of Tel Aviv University. He was a member of the International Board of Trustees of the Moshe Dayan Institute of Middle Eastern and African Studies. Since running for a Congressional seat in 1998, Alan stayed involved in State, National, and International politics, with a focus on Defense and International Relations. Until the end, Members of Congress consulted with him over the years on his views of issues in the Middle East.

Keeping his Torrance roots, where he made a large impact in LA's South Bay community throughout the years, he spearheaded the successful effort to retain the Los Angeles Air Force Base during the post-Cold War base closures of the 1990s, along with House Member Jane Harman. So successful was that effort that the Base never made it to the closure list at all. Alan served as President of the South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce, which represented over 10,000 businesses, and was honored as the Torrance Chamber of Commerce 60th Anniversary Businessman of the Year. He served as a Trustee of Providence Little Company of Mary Hospital, where decades earlier his grandfather was Chair of the fundraising effort to build the hospital. Alan was also a member of the Harbor-UCLA Community Advisory Board of the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute. Other past civic involvements include the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, the Los Angeles/Long Beach World Trade Association, the Volunteer Center Board, the Salvation Army Board, and was a member of numerous other public/private outreach programs to benefit underserved communities in the Greater Los Angeles Area.

Alan resided in Little Holmby on the Westside for over 20 years. 

Alan will always be remembered for his unstoppable wit and humor, and the way that he always had something poignant to say. As a larger-than-life figure, Alan enriched peoples' lives and made connections with people everywhere he went. His memory will be a blessing to all those who loved him: near-strangers and dear friends alike.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents, and many close friends. He is survived by even more good friends; as well as his son, Adam Schwartz and daughter-in-law, Isabel (Douvan) Schwartz. They wish their future children got the chance to meet their Papa Alan and have many fabulous stories to share about him. 

Alan's funeral is Thursday, October 10th, 2024 at 2:00PM PST at Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary (6001 W Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90045). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Volunteer Center: South Bay/Harbor/Long Beach in Alan's name.