Dr. Harold Lawrence "Larry" Swartz

Dr. Harold Lawrence "Larry" Swartz, 89, of East Lansing, Michigan, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on July 18, 2024, in East Lansing.

Born in Williamsport, PA, to Harold L. and Madeline F. (Beveridge) Swartz, Larry was a graduate of Williamsport High School and married his high school sweetheart, Norma J. Marshall, in 1956. He went on to get his Bachelor’s degree at Lycoming College, his Master’s at Boston University, and his PhD at Syracuse University. 

After working in fundraising for public television stations WITF, Hershey, PA, and WKAR, East Lansing, Larry drew upon his lifelong love of trains and in 1983, created America by Rail. Starting in his living room, he grew the business into a unique escorted train-tour company, with tours throughout North America and beyond.

Larry was a generous man who enjoyed traveling, music, reading, writing, golfing and spending time with family and friends. He especially relished vacations at his in-laws’ cabin in the mountains of Pennsylvania and summers at his vacation home on Grand Lake in Presque Isle, Michigan. His Christian faith was paramount to him, both personally and as a congregant.

Larry was predeceased by his wife, Norma J. (Marshall) Swartz; son, Randall J. Swartz; sisters, Jane (Swartz) Rishel and Ann (Swartz) Eisner; and brother-in-law, David G. Kriner.

He is survived by a son, Timothy Swartz, and his wife, Denise (Piotter) Swartz; daughter, Cynthia (Swartz) Copland and her husband, Robin Copland; grandson, Joel Swartz, and his wife, Megan (Hunt) Swartz and great-granddaughters, Laylah and Melody; granddaughter, Corrine (Swartz) Soave and her husband, Jason Soave and great-grandson, Marshall; step-granddaughter, Eryn (Copland) McDonald and her husband, Matt McDonald, along with great-granddaughter, Charlie. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Gale (Marshall) Kriner; nieces, Lisa (Eisner) Redmond, Sheryl (Eisner) Connerly, and Meredith (Rishel) Murren; and nephews, Eric Eisner, Kent Kriner and Kirk Kriner.

A graveside service to honor the life of Larry will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 27, at Woodward Twp. Cemetery, 20 Chapel Hill Rd., Linden, PA 17744. 

Memorial donations are suggested to Lycoming College, c/o College Advancement, One College Place, Box 165, Williamsport, PA 17701. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Harold Lawrence "Larry" Swartz, please visit our floral store.