ROBERT LAWRENCE SWANSON

NAPERVILLE - Robert Lawrence "Bob" Swanson passed away on August 1, 2023, in Naperville, at the age of 91. Bob was born December 23, 1931, in LeMars, Iowa, the oldest child of Lawrence and Marilyn Swanson. Bob graduated from Sanborn High School, and Iowa State University, where he was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity. His college studies were interrupted for two years by a tour in the army at the end of the Korean War. After college graduation, he joined Western Electric/AT&T in Chicago. He moved to Illinois and promptly met his future wife, June. Six months later, Bob and June were married and he was working for AT&T in Manhattan. Bob earned his M.B.A. from New York University. Bob and June moved to Hazlet, New Jersey, where they welcomed their three children. In 1966, the family to moved back to the Midwest, where they settled on Atlas Lane, in Naperville, for over 40 years. Bob had a quest for knowledge and enthusiasm for life. His steadfast faith, solid work ethic and principles made him a moral compass for his family and friends. Bob worked on the family farm as a child, driving a tractor at age 12, sparking his love of cars. Helping his father run a hardware store triggered his life long passion for woodworking, building, projects, and gadgets. Bob was known for his immaculate, well organized and well stocked workshop. Meticulously organized, his family could always count on him to creatively build, fix, or lend his hand with anything. Always impeccably dressed, Bob kept in shape, was always on the go, and enjoyed bicycling into his late 80s. In retirement, June and Bob travelled the world. Yet, Bob's favorite vacation was a month-long camping trip across the country with three young children. Times spent with family were most important and treasured. He was a mentor and inspiration to his grandchildren, passing along his love of learning, and many skills. Bob has been a member of Knox Presbyterian Church in Naperville, for over 50 years, holding leadership positions. Bob was a relentless volunteer, with Kiwanis, the DuPage Children's Museum, Pioneers, and others. For the last 15 years, Bob was a mainstay of the Monarch Landing community, developing, leading, and participating in the woodworking and biking clubs, political action committee, Christian Men's group, and others. In Bob's words, he was blessed with a wonderful life. We were all blessed to call him dad, grandad, and friend, for so long. Bob is predeceased by his wife of 65 years, June Eastman Swanson; and his sister, Ann Swanson Lietz. Bob is survived by his children, Stephanie (Gerry) Cassioppi of Naperville, IL, David Swanson of Two Harbors, MN, and Natalie Hemstreet of Saratoga Springs, NY. Bob loved his grandchildren, Jeffrey Peterson, Andrew Cassioppi, Peter Cassioppi, Rachel Hemstreet and Nathan Hemstreet. A celebration of Bob's life will be held on Sunday, August 27th, at Knox Presbyterian Church, in Naperville. Visitation is at 1:30 p.m., service following at 2:30 p.m.