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Robert "Bob" Swanson, 89, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2017. Bob was born August 20, 1927 in Morgan Park, IL, son of the late Carl and Ruth Newberg Swanson. He grew up in Chicago, IL and graduated from Morgan Park Military Academy, Class of 1944, before serving in the Army with World War II. Bob earned his Mechanical Engineering Degree at Purdue University in 1949. He married Helen Irene Carter in the Flossmoor Community Church in Flossmoor, IL on November 29, 1952. They lived in Illinois, Indiana and Florida before settling in Charlotte in 1965. He retired from an Industrial Sales career working with Garlock, Inc.
As a member since 1957, Bob enjoyed 60 years of membership and service with Kiwanis. He was honored with a Lifetime membership. He served in all capacities with the Mecklenburg Club and as a Past-District Governor of the Carolinas District. He was honored having his name inscribed on the Tablet of Honor with the Kiwanis International Foundation for his many years of Distinguished Service to The Carolinas District and The Carolinas District Kiwanis Foundation. He received multiple honors with Kiwanis including the Carl B. Hyatt award, and the Kiwanis International George F. Hixson Fellowship. He was an active member and served as a Deacon, Elder and Sound System Operator at Sardis Presbyterian Church for many years. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and was active in alumni service as well. For many years, he enjoyed piloting and was a member of AOPA. He was also a member of the American Legion, Post 340. He is remembered with his humbleness and faithfulness, his love of telling stories and his wit and humor.
In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his wife, Helen Irene Swanson; sister, Audrey Miller Lewis; grandson, Alex Ragan; and nephew, Allen Lind.
Surviving are his son, Ralph Swanson of Charlotte, NC; daughters, Cindy Ragan and husband, Paul, of Woodland Park, CO, Lynda Luttrell and husband, Pat, of Macon, GA and Cheryl Stephenson and husband, Michael, of Greenville, NC; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, nephew Mark Miller and his wife Helen, of Chicago, IL; niece Susan Lind, of Indianapolis, IN.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday January 21, 2017 at Sardis Presbyterian Church, 6100 Sardis Rd. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 20, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Hankins and Whittington Funeral Service, 1111 East Boulevard.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Carolina District Kiwanis Foundation, c/o Stan Perry, Sec/Treas, PMB321, 10120 Two Notch Road, STE 2, Columbia, SC 29223 or Mecklenburg Kiwanis Charities Inc., c/o Frank Shepherdson, 230 Wonderwood Drive, Charlotte, NC 28211.
Arrangements are in the care of Hankins and Whittington Funeral Service; condolences may be made at www.hankinsandwhittington.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Ralph and Families.
Thoughts and prayers in the loss of your Father. May God bless him and those left behind to mourn his passing. God bless. Wanda's sister Kaye
Kaye Sass
January 18, 2017
both of your parents were wonderful neighbors,wonderful community activist and what i think of as "GOOD PEOPLE". i am sorry for your loss and will always remember both with affection and respect.
sincerely, jeri gertzman
January 17, 2017
Psalms 118:6, tells us that God is on our side, what could earthling men possibly do to us. How loving to know no matter what we go through God is always with us.
January 17, 2017
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