Richard Schwartz, chairman and founder of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) and the man who created and grew the association into the predominant advocacy and boater services organization for the nation’s recreational boat owners, passed away Wednesday after a short illness. He was 85.
Schwartz announced his retirement in 2013 after a 47-year run as the leader of the over half million member boating association, and until his passing, remained chairman of the BoatUS Board of Directors as well as chairman of the BoatUS National Advisory Council.
“Richard had the foresight that recreational boaters needed an advocate, they needed services to enjoy the water, so he created an organization dedicated to helping America’s boat owners enjoy their cherished time on the water,” said BoatUS president Margaret Podlich. “He was an inquisitive, innovative and an energetic leader who could get the very best out of every one of his staff, and always insisted that boaters interests be protected. No one did more for America’s recreational boaters than Richard Schwartz.”
To read more about Schwartz's life and impact on the boating world, click here
