MARBLEHEAD — Even before he was officially sworn in as Rotary Club president, Arthur B. Schwartz rallied his 85 members to accelerate their community service work while maintaining coronavirus social distancing protocols.
Installed as Club president on June 25, Schwartz was named acting president in March, a week before state-imposed lockdowns were imposed to slow the virus’ spread.
The lockdown still meant Rotary needed to meet its commitments to feed local seniors, help meet the American Red Cross’ critical demand for blood, and continue a service project halfway around the world.
“He took on a critical role to make sure that Rotary would continue doing what it does best, connect with community members to offer support where it’s needed,” said Rotary member Rosie Tan Segil on behalf of the Club.
Schwartz guided Rotary’s work with the town Council on Aging to secure a three-month supply of food provisions for local seniors who may have otherwise gone hungry.
Working with fellow Club members, he led efforts to cosponsor a Red Cross blood drive with the Lynch/Van Otterloo YMCA underway into the summer.
Schwartz also made sure Rotary’s work with the Marblehead Interact Club to help pay for a toilet/latrine project in Mewat, India continued.
Schwartz spent his childhood in Marblehead. After graduating from Rutgers University, he earned a master’s degree in business administration at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
His first job after graduate school was with Arthur D. Little in Cambridge. Arthur and Rosann Schwartz are parents of daughter, Emily, and son, Matt.
The Schwartzes chaperoned Emily and her teammates to badminton championships around the world. Schwartz became a certified international umpire and national referee in the sport and officiated World Championship and Olympic qualifying tournaments.
When he isn’t leading Rotary as 2020-2021 president, or working at Bluestone Capital, a private family real estate entity in which he is principal, Schwartz can be found entertaining neighbors and friends on his front porch, along with his pups, Kiki and Cooper.
Marblehead Rotary has been a focal point of Schwartz’s life since he joined in 2012. He wasn’t a general member for too long before he started to take on leadership roles, including managing the Club’s public relations in 2014.
In gratitude to his service, Rotary recognized Schwartz as a Paul Harris Fellow; a member of the Paul Harris Society, and a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation.
Schwartz also serves on, or advises, the boards of several organizations, including Marblehead Little Theatre, Marblehead Bank, and the Northeast Badminton Association.
