"Buzz" Joseph S. Schubart

For those who knew and loved Joe, it will come as no surprise that he did not want a funeral or memorial service. He simply wished to be remembered by his dear friends and loved ones. With that in mind, we have shared the following tribute to honor Joe’s life and the many people, places, and communities he touched. We invite you to leave memories, photographs, or messages in the guestbook below so friends and loved ones may remember Joe together.

Joseph “Joe” Schubart, affectionately known as “Buzz” to many of his lifelong friends, passed away after a life defined by public service, intellectual curiosity, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the importance of human connection. Across decades of work in journalism, education, federal service, and interagency leadership, Joe built a reputation as a deeply thoughtful and generous man whose character left a lasting impression on nearly everyone who knew him.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, with a natural love of people, conversation, and learning, he possessed a rare ability to make others feel special. Friends and colleagues remember him as someone who could speak comfortably with anyone about anything.

One of Joe’s greatest joys was writing letters and staying connected with people. Over the years he sent countless handwritten notes, recommendations, reflections, and messages of encouragement to friends, former coworkers, public officials, and loved ones. For Joe, correspondence was never routine. It was personal, meaningful, and an expression of genuine care for others.

Joe attended the University of Miami where he was humorously known by some as “Mr. University of Miami” since he seemed to be the guy in the know regarding everything that was happening on campus. He had deep ties to the university and was actively involved in Greek life as a fraternity brother of Lambda Chi Alpha. This was a very influential time for Joe, helping to instill a passion for education, curiosity, and public service.

Joe’s professional life began in South Florida, where he built a career in journalism and public relations. During the 1970s and early 1980s, he worked with the Miami Herald and Knight-Ridder Newspapers, where he became known for his creativity and ability to coordinate large projects and people. His work at the Miami Herald and related publishing organizations gave him broad experience in communications and public engagement, skills that would later define much of his federal service career.

Joe developed an enduring love for print media and journalism itself. He was an avid collector of newspapers, magazines, historical clippings, and printed materials, preserving stories and moments in history that fascinated him. He believed print media carried not only information, but memory and culture. His home reflected that lifelong passion for learning, collecting, and preserving the written word.

Subsequent to leaving the Miami Herald, Joe joined Florida Representative Claude Pepper's staff, inspiring his interest in state and federal politics and policies, which would come into play further along in his career,

Joe's work in museums and education helped foster his belief that learning should inspire human understanding. During his time with the Delaware Museum of Natural History, he helped develop educational programming and initiatives that connected museums, schools, and communities in meaningful ways. His work focused on making education engaging and accessible to people of all backgrounds.

Beginning in 1987, Joe formally served within the United States Department of Education (DOE), where he quickly distinguished himself through his mastery of complex policy, information systems, and federal coordination efforts. Over the following years and decades, he became deeply involved in student financial assistance programs, information collection systems, regulatory management, and interagency initiatives.

Throughout the 1990s, Joe took on increasingly significant responsibilities involving federal information management and large-scale policy coordination. The DOE recognized his role in overseeing information collections tied to billions of dollars in federal student financial aid programs and his leadership in helping agencies navigate evolving federal requirements. He was repeatedly praised for his professionalism, calm judgment, analytical abilities, and tireless work ethic.

In the 1990s, Joe also became a driving force behind Holocaust remembrance initiatives within the federal government, helping organize federal “Days of Remembrance” commemorations. His work eventually grew into what became known as the Federal Inter-Agency Holocaust Remembrance Program, which he founded and chaired for many years. This was one of the most meaningful chapters of Joe’s life. Through this work, Joe brought together federal agencies and public servants in programs devoted to remembrance, historical education, moral reflection, and human dignity.

On May 22, 2000, Joe was formally honored by the United States Department of Energy with a recognition titled “To Honor the Human Spirit”, presented by Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson. The award recognized Joe’s service as Interagency Coordination Chairperson and thanked him for chairing the Interagency Holocaust Commemoration Committee and for “bringing the lessons home” to the federal family. The recognition reflected values Joe carried throughout his life: truth, compassion, education, and moral responsibility.

Outside of his professional accomplishments, Joe found deep joy in nature, the arts, and human creativity. He loved trees and often spoke of them as symbols of life and growth. He appreciated the quiet beauty of the natural world and cared deeply about the environment and preservation. He was equally passionate about the fine arts and loved theater, musicals, film, and storytelling in all forms. Whether attending a performance, discussing a classic film, or sharing historical anecdotes, Joe approached art with the same curiosity and emotional depth that shaped every part of his life.

Friends and coworkers often described Joe as remarkably loyal and generous with his time. He mentored others freely, shared knowledge enthusiastically, and always seemed willing to help someone solve a problem or navigate a challenge. He possessed a combination of intellectual seriousness and emotional warmth that made people gravitate toward him. He was deeply reflective, yet approachable; principled, yet kind; accomplished, yet humble. Many of his friends have commented that Joe had "a heart of gold" and would go to great lengths to help those in need.

Above all else, Joe cherished the friendships, communities, and extended family he built wherever life took him. He carried a deep love for the people closest to him and remained connected across generations and decades. Whether through long conversations, thoughtful letters, shared memories, or quiet acts of kindness.

Joe will be lovingly remembered by his sister, Joan Schubart; his niece Kris, her husband Matt, and his great-niece and great-nephew, Beatriz and Ezra; his close friends Scott and Liz Doyle; and his longtime friend Umaar Ehsan, whom Joe cared for deeply and regarded as a son. He also leaves behind countless friends, colleagues, and former coworkers whose lives were touched by his generosity, encouragement, and humanity. His legacy endures not only through his many accomplishments in public service, but through the compassion and tenacious spirit he shared so freely throughout his life.

Whether you knew him as Joe, Buzz, Uncle Steve, or simply as a trusted friend, mentor, neighbor, or colleague, he leaves behind a lifetime of memories and connections that will continue to live on through the people whose lives he touched.

For questions, memories, photographs, or stories you would like to share, please send via guestbook below or email at Umaar.Ehsan@me.com.

In honor of Joe’s lifelong love for nature, community, and growth, his family encourages planting or donating a tree in his memory. For those wishing to make a charitable contribution, we suggest the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and the American Red Cross, two organizations Joe would have been proud to support.