In Memoriam: Joan Schwartz

Our condolences to family and friends of Joan Schwartz, who passed away April 26. Joan was a valuable contributor to the fields of engineering and optics - and an important member of 4D Technology Corp. family. A scholarship endowment in her name has been established by her friends and family at Wyant College of Optical Sciences. Contributions to the Joan Schwartz Graduate Student Scholarship in Optical Sciences may be made here.     

Joan Schwartz served in the Optics Industry for 17 years.  She earned a BS in Chemical Engineering (1984) and a MS in Optical Engineering (1989) from the University of Rochester, and later took graduate courses in Optics at the University of Arizona.  Joan was originally from Long Island, New York but spent much of her career in Tucson, Arizona. 

She worked as a chemical engineer in IR glass fabrication and then as an optical metrology engineer at Perkin Elmer and Hughes Danbury Optical Systems (now UTC). At Hughes her work on the COSTAR corrective prescription for the Hubble Space Telescope received an Award of Recognition from NASA.

In 2006, Joan joined 4D Technology Corporation (now part of Nanometrics), in Tucson, as a manufacturing engineer. She helped to create and test state-of-the interferometry systems used on programs such as the James Webb Space Telescope.  Joan later became Senior Service Manager where she focused on developing the team’s capabilities and processes in order to provide superior technical service and resolve customer problems quickly and professionally. At 4D Technology, Joan was recognized for her inventiveness, technical insight, and thoroughness. She delighted in training engineers about optics and educated employees, distributors, and customers around the globe.

When Joan took on a challenge, she dove into it whole-heartedly and with immense commitment. But with her steadfast optimism, blended with courage and empathy, she stood out as a friend and positive influence on her work environment and the community at large. She always gave more than was expected.