Neil Schwertman (Obituary from Chico ER)

Neil was born in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky to Clarence and Bertha Schwertman.

He was predeceased by his brother, Raymond, and sister, Beth (Engle) and survived by his wife, Marcia, two daughters, Jennifer Schwertman (Aaron Duncan) and Amy La Russa (Vincent La Russa), and granddaughter, Matilda La Russa. He also leaves behind a nephew, James Engle, and two nieces, Beth DuPont and Laurie Fischer.

Neil graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964, after which he served in the Submarine Service until 1969. He then attended graduate school at the University of Kentucky, where he received his PhD in Statistics, before moving his family to Chico, in 1974, to take a position on the faculty at Chico State.

Neil was a tenured professor in the Math and Statistics Department for 28 years, during which he served as Department Chairman for two terms. In addition to being a gifted teacher, he was a prolific researcher whose papers were published in notable statistical journals over the years. He was elected as a Fellow in the American Statistical Association, received a grant from the National Science Foundation and was the recipient of many awards, including Professional Achievement Honors.

Aside from statistics, Neil’s main interests were travel, fishing and gardening. When his children were growing up, the family visited every state in the U.S., and, eventually, every continent on the globe, with highlights in Tibet, the Amazon, Antarctica and his climbing of the Matterhorn, when he was a young man. In recent years, he and Marcia enjoyed nearly 50 cruises where they sailed all over the world.

Neil was a loving and devoted husband, father, and member of the Chico community. He was an active in several local groups and participated in the congregation of Trinity United Methodist Church, where services will be held at 10 am, on March 1, 2025. Donations may also be made in his name to the Trinity United Methodist Church. Please go to www.NewtonBracewell.com to leave condolences for the family.