Search by Name

Search by Name

FUNERAL HOME

Cornwell Colonial Chapel

390 N 2nd St

Woodburn, Oregon

Robert Swan Obituary

Swan, Robert G. 86 June 18, 1927 Sept. 27, 2013 Charbonneau resident Robert G. Swan died Friday, Sept. 27, 2013. He was 86. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013, at the Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland with private interment in St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Wilsonville. Bob was a born and bred Oregon State Beaver who professionally was a public relations executive, a newspaper editor and the owner-publisher of three newspapers. He grew up in Corvallis where his father, Grant "Doc" Swan, was a world-class miler in 1920 for Oregon State and for 37 years was the head track coach at the university. "I was raised to believe there wasn't any school other than Oregon State," Bob once said of his upbringing. After graduating from Corvallis High School, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard, returning to Corvallis in 1947 to attend Oregon State. He joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and was active in the chapter for decades. He was initiated in the Sigma Delta Chi professional journalistic fraternity in 1948 and served as editor of the Oregon State Barometer. On July 15, 1951, he married Patricia Kelly of Cottage Grove. She died in 2010. The Swans were residents of Charbonneau, who with their daughter, KC, published the monthly Charbonneau Villager from Nov. 1984 through 2009. During many of those years as publisher of the Villager, he also was opinion page editor of the Hillsboro Argus and public relations director of the Multnomah Kennel Club. His journalism career began in high school as a part-timer at the Corvallis Gazette-Times, then continued after Oregon State at the Denver Post, the Portland bureau of United Press and The Oregonian. He later worked in public relations for Richfield Oil/ARCO and Portland General Electric, serving as president of the Portland chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in 1964. He was the owner-publisher of the Milwaukie Review, and in 1968, became editor of the Portland Daily Journal of Commerce. In the 1970s, he and long-time friend and business associate, Walt McKinney, purchased the Roseville (Calif.) Press Tribune. He and his family moved to Roseville in 1978 where he was publisher of the paper. He also served as president of the Gold Unit of the California Newspaper Publishers Association. In 1982, he returned to Portland as deputy sports editor of The Oregonian. While in Roseville, he became a huge fan of the San Francisco 49ers. He witnessed first-hand "The Catch," regarded as one of the most memorable catches in National Football League history, and the 38-16 victory of San Francisco over Miami in the 1985 Super Bowl at Stanford Stadium. He and his wife, Pat, followed the 49ers to three more Super Bowls. Bob was passionate about Oregon State sports, and for decades was a donor and season ticket holder in football, men's basketball and women's gymnastics. He served as president of the OSU Alumni Association and was a lifetime member, as well as co-founder, of the Beaver Huddle and Portland Linebackers. He took up snow skiing in his mid-40s and served as president of Cascade Ski Club. He was a director and life member of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, a board member of the Portland Rose Festival Association, member of the Multnomah Athletic Club, National Newspaper Publishers Association and served as president of the Charbonneau Country Club in 1995-97. He is survived by daughters, Kelly Bahlburg of Plano, Texas and KC Swan of Lake Oswego; son, John Swan of Eugene; and eight grandchildren. Remembrances to the A. Grant Swan Memorial Endowment Fund at OSU. The family thanks Providence Hospice and the staff of SpringRidge and SpringRidge Court for their care and support. Cornwell Colonial Chapel in Wilsonville is handling arrangements. www.cornwellcolonial.com for details.

Published by The Oregonian on Oct. 6, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Swan

Not sure what to say?





Bob was a great mentor for me in Roseville back in the 1970s. We stayed in touch for years afterwards. As others have said, a true original. I will miss him.

Bill James

December 20, 2013

...Long-time friend and true Original, our thoughts keep you near.

Lee.

November 5, 2013

November 5, 2013

Thank you for all you taught me. Your lessons will live on for a long, long time.

Sandy Glantz

November 5, 2013

Worked and played with Bob and Larry Shaw at The Oregonian. Miss them both.

Glenn Davis

November 4, 2013

November 3, 2013

R.I.P. Mr. Swan... It was great meeting you, thanks SO MUCH for my best friend, your son Jon Swan.

thomas mele

October 28, 2013

It was my pleasure to spend time with Bob during his last days. We had many interesting conversations as I assisted him as a care giver. My condolences to his family, you did a great job helping ease through his last months.

Sandy M

October 20, 2013

Pat and Bob, good friends who will be missed.

Wes and Peggy Massinger

October 11, 2013

A very good friend will be greatly missed!

Walter & Carol McKinney

October 9, 2013

I met Bob when he was editor of the Daily Journal of Commerce in the early 1970's and will always remember his kind and fair treatment of others. He was well respected by everyone. On a personal note, he made me an honorary member of the DJC press, a gesture I have always valued.

Ronald Kleve

October 8, 2013

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results

Make a Donation
in Robert Swan's name

Memorial Events
for Robert Swan

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Cornwell Colonial Chapel

390 N 2nd St, Woodburn, OR 97071

How to support Robert's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Robert Swan's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more