Fred Jay Schwartz

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Sunday, November 23, 2025 11:00 AM at The Temple

RECORDING: Please click here to view the funeral service livestream recording.

Cherished husband, father, and friend, Fred Jay Schwartz of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away suddenly on November 18th, 2025, at the age of 73. He was born on April 30th, 1952, in Brooklyn, New York, to Jack and Marilyn Schwartz, who also shared a daughter, Fred’s sister Janet. Fred was known and deeply loved for his gentle nature, kindness, and generosity. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, daughters, Julie and Jenna, and his dog, Gracie.

Fred attended State University of New York at Buffalo before moving on to graduate from Creighton University’s School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1976. After graduating from medical school, he completed his Internship and Residency in Anesthesiology in 1979 at the University of Arizona Health Sciences in Tucson, Arizona. Fred then put his impressive educational background to use as an anesthesiologist at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, for over 35 years.

While in Atlanta, Fred met the love of his life, Marilyn Bernstein, at a workout class. After a whirlwind five-month romance, the pair already knew that they should spend the rest of their lives together and got engaged. One month after Fred popped the question, he and Marilyn wed on December 10th, 1983. Three years post-nuptials, the couple decided to grow their family, which already consisted of three very spoiled fur children, Chuck, Alex, and Nafke, and brought their firstborn, Julie, into the world. Five and a half years later, their family expanded once more with the birth of Fred and Marilyn’s youngest, Jenna. 

Music was a significant part of Fred’s life, both professionally and personally. He was an accomplished musician, composer, and music producer, and even had a dedicated music room in his home where he would frequently share his talents and heart with his daughters by playing the piano as they sang. 

With a lifelong appreciation for music, Fred was passionate about the connection between music and healing and dedicated much of his career to marrying the two. He was an international leader in the research, promotion, and implementation of utilizing music in the medical field. Fred was a founding member of the International Association for Music & Medicine (IAMM), where he also served as Treasurer for a period, and was integral in the planning of the organization’s 2024 conference in Berlin, Germany. He was instrumental in getting Piedmont Hospital started on applying music in the treatment of its patients. Fred also produced multiple music albums designed to induce sleep. The complete list of Fred’s accomplishments in the realm of music and medicine would be nearly impossible to detail. His contributions reach far and wide, no doubt improving and saving many lives to this day. 

Fred was beloved by a large circle of friends, most of whom would likely describe their relationship with him as incredibly close and meaningful. Friends remember Fred as being “polite,” “calm,” and “the consummate gentleman.” He was also known for his fashionably flashy wardrobe, having a habit of purchasing bold shirts online and pairing them perfectly with the rest of his ensembles. One of Fred’s favorite ways to bond with his friends, and anyone who wanted to join him, was by sharing and appreciating fine wine and dining. He was a treasured member of several food and wine societies, including the Tastevin, the Commanderie de Bordeaux, and a sommelier guild. Renowned for his generosity, Fred made sure not only that everyone was welcome to a seat at his table, but also that they had the best meals and wines to enjoy while there.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 23rd at 11:00 AM EST at The Temple, located at 1589 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309. Those who are unable to attend may watch a live stream of the service at https://streaming.the-temple.org/. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the International Association of Music & Medicine. Please visit https://donate.stripe.com/7sY9ATfXkbYsb112TT5wI00 to make a contribution.