Ex-Fish And Game Official Dies Richard Schwarz Remembered As An Unswerving Advocate For Wildlife

Richard Schwarz, nuclear scientist and outspoken advocate for wildlife, died of a heart attack Wednesday at his home in Idaho Falls. He was 67.

He was a former member of the Fish and Game Commission and highly respected for his unswerving devotion to the state’s wildlife, even though some people called him cantankerous or gruff.

“He was arguably one of the best Fish and Game commissioners we’ve ever had,” said Mark Gamblin, fisheries manager at the Department of Fish and Game. “He was a giant in wildlife conservation in the Northwest.”

Schwarz, a West Point graduate, was a decorated veteran of the Korean War, receiving the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with a V for valor.

He was a leading nuclear engineer until he retired in 1984. He led the charge on a number of critical projects at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, including the effort to turn liquid high level radioactive waste into a powder at the New Waste Calcining Facility. He also worked on projects to recover uranium from spent reactor fuels and manufacturing tank armor from depleted uranium.

“He was a substantial force out there,” said Jack Combo, former deputy manager for the Department of Energy.

A lifelong outdoorsman, Schwarz served on the Fish and Game Commission from 1977-1983. He established many policies the department still follows.

“He set the tone of the department, more than anything,” said Jerry Conley, former director.

Schwarz also served on the Pacific Fisheries Management Council, Greater Yellowstone Coalition and the Outfitter and Guides Licensing Board and was the president of Idaho Wildlife Federation.