James B. Swonk

1938 - 2018

James B. Swonk

1938-2018 - Jim Swonk passed on August 25, surrounded by family and friends singing "Hail to the Victors," for his love of his alma mater, the University of Michigan. He lived his life by one mantra, "never give up," and committed his life to making the world a better place. He marched for civil rights, believed that learning was a lifelong pursuit, and pushed himself and those around him to evolve in their views.

He spent his career as an engineer at the cutting edge of technology. He started at Ford and flourished at GM, where he worked in with group of engineers from all over the world. He believed innovation had no boundaries He was prescient and a trail blazer, seeing the potential for technology to enhance our lives. He also worried that technology could infringe on our privacy and freedoms by those who coveted power.

Upon retirement, he returned to his activist roots. He worked actively for the Democratic Party, ran for political office, and was a charter member with his wife and partner of 40 years, Joanne, of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Brighton, Michigan. He worked on outreach to the community and funding local scholarships to the Univeristy of Michigan. He helped bring experts on global affairs to deepen debate for the speaker series at the UU Church in Naples, Florida.

He is succeeded by his wife Joanne, his two daughters Sharyn Ceru and Diane Swonk, Diane's husband John Trinta, and the light of his life, his grandchildren Madison Swonk Murray and Griffin Swonk Murray.

His family will be celebrating his life at what would have been his 80th birthday party on September.8. He was born September 9, 1938. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations for scholarships to the Engineering School at the University of Michigan in memory of James Swonk.