William Schwarzer, a retired federal judge in San Francisco, died Saturday at his home in Terra Linda, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals announced Wednesday. He was 91.
Mr. Schwarzer suffered Parkinson’s disease, the court said.
He was born in Berlin in 1925 and his family emigrated to the United States. He enlisted in the Army at age 18 to fight in World War II and was discharged as a second lieutenant in 1947 after serving as an intelligence officer.
Mr. Schwarzer earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern California at a law degree at Harvard University, then worked in private practice from 1952 to 1976 in San Francisco. President Gerald Ford appointed him to the federal bench in 1976. He retired in 2009.
Prior to his judicial appointment, he was a senior counsel on the Commission on CIA Activities Within the United States. The group, also known as the Rockefeller Commission, was empaneled by Ford, chaired by Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, and included members such as Ronald Reagan, Douglas Dillon and Lyman Lemnitzer.
Mr. Schwarzer’s survivors include his wife of more than 65 years, Anne; two children; and five grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled for 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Villa Marin, 100 Thorndale Drive in San Rafael.
