Great Living Cincinnatians: Honorees

Throughout his career, Nelson Schwab, Jr. has carried on his family’s tradition of public service.

His grandfather, Dr. Louis Schwab, was mayor and a member of the City Planning Commission, and his father, Judge Nelson Schwab, was a common pleas court judge and prosecuting attorney.

Schwab himself worked on the former Citizens Development Committee, which eventually created the city’s 1948 Master Plan. He was co-chairman of the Review Committee of the Cincinnati 2000 Plan, a master plan for the development of Cincinnati’s central business district.

Schwab also chaired the Volunteer Lawyers for the Poor Foundation and was involved with the Community Chest Child Abuse and Neglect Services Task Force, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Playhouse in the Park and the Architectural Foundation. He served as chairman of WCET-TV and held an elected seat on the Cincinnati school board.

Schwab earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and law degree from Harvard Law School. He was a partner at the law firm of Graydon, Head & Ritchey.

In 2005, Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP made a memorial gift to the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, USA, to honor the leadership and many civic contributions of Firm partner, Nelson Schwab, Jr. Funds were used to establish the “The Nelson Schwab, Jr. Distinguished Leadership Alumni Award,” an award previously known as the “Distinguished Leadership Alumni Award” recognizing outstanding contributions of Leadership Cincinnati Alumni. In addition to the re-naming of the award to honor Great Living Cincinnatian Nelson Schwab, Jr., the award fund also provides scholarship assistance for Leadership Cincinnati participants who otherwise may not be able to afford the program.