Dr. Sharon W. Swope

1946 - 2015

Dr. Sharon W. Swope, world adventurer, intrepid traveler, dedicated educator, spiritual warrior and fierce friend, slid off this mortal coil on Jan. 16, 2015, laughing and enjoying the ride until the very end. Sharon died Friday at home in Fairbanks, Alaska, after a brief but epic battle with pancreatic cancer, surrounded in love by family and friends while celebrating a life well lived. Sharon was born in Ohio, for the Sulagi Nation in 1946, but was adopted and raised by her parents, Carl and Susan Roniger in rural Florida. She graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School in 1964, and attended the University of Florida, where she earned a bachelor's degree in 1969. Later, she earned her master's degree at the University of Illinois Springfield (formerly Sangamon State University), her education specialist degree at the University of Wyoming and her doctorate from Arizona State University. Sharon met her husband, Bob, while both were overachieving undergraduate students taking a graduate course in sociology. They began their Alaskan adventure together the summer before they married in 1969, carrying on a long-distance love affair over ham radio while Bob was working on Amchitka Island in the Aleutians. Bob and Sharon spent many years traveling throughout the "Lower 48" with their three children before moving to Fairbanks in 1992. Sharon worked as a psychologist, principal and school superintendent for multiple school districts throughout Alaska, including Anchorage, Nome, Kotzebue, Fairbanks, Yakutat and Dillingham. In 2008, Sharon retired from 30 years in public service. Sharon and Bob then moved their base camp to Colorado, to be closer to family. They returned home to Fairbanks shortly before her death. Sharon was known for working behind the scenes but not in the spotlight. She had an innate curiosity towards the unknown and believed whole-heartedly in the power of relationships. She was passionate about paying it forward to the next generation and living life to the fullest. Sharon believed actions of civility showed respect to others and thought, "meeting people where they are at," was the highest honor. Her life motto was, "live well, laugh often and love much." Throughout her life, Sharon traveled the globe, sampling fine foods, collecting funny stories and reveling in shared laughter with strangers. Whether it was trekking through the mountains of Southern New Zealand, shopping in the suqs of Northern Africa, sampling Swiss chocolates in the shadow of the Jungfraujoch, riding a mule train into the Grand Canyon, camping out with grandkids in Montana, roughing it in Banff National Park with her best girlfriends, watching the sunrise over the Grand Tetons or watching the sunset on a beach in Tonga, Sharon greeted each day as a joyous miracle. Sharon is survived by her husband of 45 years, the Rev. Robert L. Swope of Fairbanks, Alaska; her daughter, Jennifer and son-in-law, David and granddaughters, Mikaela and Julia Brenner of Tustin, Calif.; son, Jason Swope of Denver, Colo.; and granddaughters, Michele and Desiree Swope of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter, Jillian Swope and son-in-law, Jack Fletcher and grandson, Jackson Fletcher, of Fairbanks, Alaska; and numerous family and friends from around the world. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 1798 Iniakuk Ave. off Farmer's Loop Road in Fairbanks. All are welcome to attend. Per Sharon's wishes, please wear bright colors only to celebrate with laughter and love. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Alaska Foundation to support the Rev. Bob and Dr. Sharon Swope Scholarship or to Hospice of Tanana Valley.