Hal Ford Swafford

Hal was a longtime colleague of my father's (Bob) years before I ever stepped into his class. Peggy taught my sister violin before I ever heard his booming challenges from the front of the class. He believed in me before I believed in myself. I loved his Western Civilization classes, his high expectations of his students, his drive to truly teach. He wrote a letter of recommendation to my first choice college, and I know for a fact it made a difference. He's gone 10 years now, but he is...

Where to begin. I can honestly say Hal changed my life. To say I was not an engaged student would be understating my effort and thoughts about school. Hal pushed me in a positive and constructive way that no other teacher had in my life from grade school to Sunset High. To say he was a great teacher would be limiting what Hal accomplished with every student. He created passion, he created effort, and he created a belief that learning opened doors to ever expanding opportunity. Hal...

Mr. Swafford taught history at Beaverton High School. As others have said, he was a gifted teacher and devoted to his students: He was one of two or three teachers who came to the BHS 40th high school reunion in 2006. During my high school years, he and Peggy employed me as a babysitter for Matt and Tom. Their record collection introduced to another of his life--jazz. After the kids went to sleep, I lay on the floor in front of the "stereo" listening to jazz. Hearing "Take Five" always brings...

Always remember the great inspiration of hearing Mr Swafford elucidate the meaning of history

h, wow, just realized that I missed this tragedy. I was clearing out some "stuff" from a desk and came across a class syllabus given to me by Mr. Swafford and decided to look him up. So sad to read his obit. On the other hand, what great memories I have of being a fifty year old taking some history classes from Hal and finding him to be one of the best info communicator that I had found at the college level. Imagine this, Mr. Swafford had related that he was a horn player and in to jazz,...

I was one of his students at Portland Community College in 2001. I even insisted on staying in Oregon for one more term when my family was about to move to Texas because I wanted to finish the Western Civilization series he taught. I loved how he told it like it was and was focused on teaching us to not only learn but think about what we were learning. His classes remain my favorite classes, and I slipped into later classes to visit him when I came to town because I loved the things he had to...

Hi Peggy. I'm so thoroughly saddened by this news. Mr Swafford was my favorite school teacher. He could make history come alive. His sincerity concerning the importance of knowing your history and how all things are connected together left the greatest of impressions upon me.

I'm so sorry I didn't visit. I often thought of it. I'm so sorry.
love, Katrina

Thank you to all who wrote about Hal. He loved his teaching and felt close to his students. I speak for the family, Tom, Matt and my self,for acknowledging all the kind words and remembrances written to him. Peggy Swafford

"Think! ...Why?...Why not?....justify your position.
Don't just repeat the drivel of someone else."

Truly one of a kind. The world is less without him, but richer because of all the minds he ignited while he was here. It makes me smile to think of the music as well as chaos he is probably stirring up now!
Rick Conklin -Sunset '77