Samuel Swisher

1947 - 2022

Samuel Swisher
September 6, 1947 - November 18, 2022
Lake Wylie, South Carolina - Samuel Dean Swisher was born in Ann Arbor Michigan to Harriet Emily Dean Swisher and John Edgar Swisher II.
Sam attended Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, class of 1965. In 1964, while still in high school, Sam was in a rock and roll band, the Iguanas, that went on to be inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2018. In addition to Sam, the band consisted of childhood friends Jim McLaughlin, Nick Kolokithas, Don Swickerath, and future Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer, Jim Osterberg (Iggy Pop). In the summer of 1965, the Iguanas were the house band at the popular Club Ponytail in Harbor Springs, Michigan. They opened for acts including the Four Tops, the Shangri-Las, and the Kingsmen. Sam carried his love of music, especially Motown music, throughout his life.
He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1969 with a degree in Business Administration and Management. A natural salesman and entrepreneur, Sam sold party favors to fraternities and sororities in Michigan and sold Vita Craft pots and pans door to door while a student. Sam went on to law school at Wayne State university in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated in 1974 with a joint degree in law and accounting. He worked for Continental Illinois Bank in Vienna, Austria in between his first and second year of law school. He then worked for Coopers and Lybrand as a tax attorney in Detroit.
Sam married Susi Meisinger Swisher in 1972 and they had two children, Phil (1978) and Anna (1983). Sam was a beloved father to Anna and Phil, who spent countless hours on basketball courts; football, field hockey, lacrosse, and soccer fields; wrestling meets; swimming decks; and track and field competitions. Sam was a proud father who always encouraged and supported the education, careers, and interests of his children.
In 1976, Sam worked for Chrysler in London as a tax attorney, until 1979. He then worked for Amoco as an associate tax counsel and was transferred to Denver. Then he moved to their Chicago headquarters in 1984 until 2003 as the North American Director of Tax for Chemicals at BP, an Amoco merger.
Sam later changed his career from tax to financial planning. He earned a CFP, adding to his JD and CPA. He enjoyed helping others make the best financial decisions for their families. He spend 15 years in this profession, and many of his clients became good friends and some, fishing buddies.
Sam was happiest when connected to the water. Whether fishing on the ocean, sailing on a lake, driving his boat, or simply watching boats drive by from his deck. Captain Sam spent hours towing kids, grandkids, and friends tubing and water skiing. He deep-sea fished all over the world with friends and family, catching walleye, marlin, tuna, sailfish, mahi, and tarpon.
Sam's desire to explore the world was a life-long passion. He shared that with his wife, Pam, with whom they selected at least one country each year plus adding a national park to visit every year.
Sam began distance running while living in Chicago, and completed Athens, Greece, Stockholm, New York City, Boston, Denver, and Chicago Marathons.
Sam led a life of service over the year, joining Rotary in Illinois, and Lions Club in South Carolina.
Sam is survived by his wife, Pam, his two children, Anna and Phil, his brother, John, sister, Sallie, brother-in-law, Rick, step-daughter, Kim, stepson Jonathan, and grandchildren Isabelle, Felix, Diana, Helen Samantha, Madelyn, Ella, and Isabel.
A celebration of Sam's life is planned for January 14, 2023, at the Lake Wylie Community Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lake Wylie Lions Club Charities, the Stellie J. Jackson Enrichment Center in Clover, or CAAC in Clover, a local food pantry.