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David A. Swanson

1941 - 2016

BORN

1941

DIED

2016

About

Carleton College

David Swanson Obituary

David A. Swanson, MD

Born: Sept. 29, 1941

Died: Jan. 13, 2016

Dr. David Allen Swanson passed away Wednesday, January 13, 2016, from pulmonary complications of sarcoidosis.

Dr. Swanson was born Sept. 29, 1941, in Chicago and grew up in Geneva, IL. He earned degrees from Carleton College and the Univ. of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and later served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from '69-71. He is best known for an illustrious 39-year career in urologic oncology at the Univ. of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Beginning with a two-year fellowship in urologic oncology, Dr. Swanson advanced from Assistant Professor to Professor to Deputy Chairman (13 years) and, ultimately, Chairman (8.5 years) of the Dept. of Urology. He would be hard-pressed to choose which part of his job he loved more: surgery, teaching and mentoring, or counseling patients about treatment options. He also served on the Board of the Kidney Cancer Association for over 15 years.

Though he officially "retired" in August 2005, it came as no surprise that he couldn't quit MDACC cold turkey. He continued to support the department part-time, partnering to rebuild the prostate brachytherapy program. His proudest career achievement was his Faculty Achievement Award in Patient Care, awarded by his peers in '95. He published over 200 scientific papers and book chapters and delivered more than 400 presentations, nationally and internationally. His career took him around the world, visiting 38 countries for both business and pleasure. He was an avid traveler, foodie and oenophile, and he relished introducing friends and family to great restaurants and fine wines (particularly his cherished Rombauer Chardonnay).

An enthusiastic sports fan, he held season tickets for every Houston sports team, reveling in the wins and mourning the losses with his son, Erik. In retirement he found poker, arguably his only hobby, spurring frequent father-son trips to Vegas to hit the tables and visit his favorite restaurants. A creature of habit, he lived for moments like these - good food, good wine, good friends and family - just as much as he lived for his patients, his colleagues, and his work in urologic oncology. Dr. Swanson, David, Dad, Doc - you made a difference in more lives than you'll ever know, and your legacy lives on.

Dr. Swanson is survived by his wife, Carene; son, Erik and daughter-in-law, Melanee; and his sister, Barbara Swanson Roos.

A celebration of his life and career will be held at MDACC in February.

In lieu of usual remembrances, please consider donations to the Kidney Cancer Association (KidneyCancer.org) or the MDACC Dept. of Urology.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Kane County Chronicle on Jan. 19, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for David Swanson

16 Entries

Sandra Dorris

April 13, 2021

Better late than never. Dr. Swanson was a wonderful doctor and a wonderful human being. He was my doctor beginning in 2002 until he retired from MD Anderson. If it weren’t for him and God working together, I would not be here today. It started out as cancer in my bladder and it went into one of my kidneys which he removed. He was a real blessing to so many people and is still missed by so many people not only because of his caring, compassion and intelligence and also when you were in his care you felt like a real friend. He was just a wonderful person and I just now realized he passed away about a year after he was my doctor. I continue to go back every two years to check on my bladder and I miss him terribly. Rest in peace wonderful person. I love you for all you did for me. Sandra D.

Sandra Akers

January 25, 2019

Dr. Swanson literally gave me my husband Bill back for multiple years, we are going on 16 + years.
In 2003, Bill was diagnosed with multiple cancerous tumors in both kidneys, at this time the life expectancy was 5 years. DR. Swanson created a plan to just remove tumors from the right kidney, leaving 95% of that kidney, and removing the tumors from the left kidney, leaving 80% kidney function. This allowed my husband to continue living normally for 11 years before another tumor in the left kidney caused the left kidney to be removed.
Dr. Maten now monitors my husband's right kidney.
But I would not have my husband to love without Dr. Swanson, He is my hero forever. I love him for what he did for my husband.

August 9, 2018

David was smart and thoughtful, I was glad to have known him the many times I was his patient.

Mack Ray
Corpus Christi, Texas

Sandy Alers

June 18, 2016

I met Dr.Swanson in May 2003, we were there for my husband's first visit to MD Anderson, I was so impressed with him. My husband had multiple tumors on both kidneys (unusual). On July the 4th that year he called us at our home in Alabama to talk to us about Bill's upcoming surgery. Between him and Dr. Mateen, they saved both of my husband's kidneys after two very long surgeries. Over the next years we saw Dr. Swanson, even after he retired. We became email buddies, I will update him on Bill and he would keep me updated on his health. I loved Dr. Swanson, he saved my husband, we are going on 13 years of cancer survivorship. My husband isn't doing as well now, he lost his left kidney in 2014 and has tumors growing on his right. I was heartbroken yo hear of his death, but thought he had died, I had not received an email from him recently. Dr. Swanson, you were a great man. May your family be comforted by thos of us who loved him also. God speed

February 12, 2016

David was a wonderful classmate. We didn't see him too often at Class Reunions but after listening to his career, etc. we can see that he was quite busy. You will be missed.
Bonnie Coy Jacobs

Rodney Caldwell

January 23, 2016

David's caring can be well-illustrated by my experience. A week or so before my scheduled surgery he called to ask if I would mind moving it up one day -- as he had been invited to a ceremony at the White House that day and wanted to attend if he could. Of course I said yes. The day after the surgery he came by my bed at MDACC at 5:00am, told me everything looked good, and asked if I was still OK with him getting on his flight to Washington in two hours. He wasn't going to leave unless I was OK with it! Later that day I was able to watch at least the back of his head in the CSPAN broadcast of the White House event. People don't come any better.

Marvin Meistrich

January 22, 2016

As a patient and colleague, I have appreciated the medical knowledge and thoughtful treatment, as well as knowing a really fine individual.

Betsy Hossan

January 21, 2016

For a great man and physician who has helped cancer patient's thru their own journey. He will be missed. I feel privileged to have know him.

Betsy Hossan

January 21, 2016

For a great man and physician, who helped countless patients in their own journey thru life.

January 21, 2016

To the Swanson family, I was so sorry to here of his passing. I have know Dr. Swanson for over 30 years while I was working in the GU Oncology Department. He was always so gracious and spent time talking to me and his patients, like they was the most important person at that moment. He will be missed by all of us who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him. My Thoughts are with you.
Betsy(Elizabeth Hossan)

January 21, 2016

David and I were side by side as we watched the Rockets win
back to back championships in 94-95.
We shared those tickets together for many years.
My deepest sympathy to Carene and Erik.
David was not only a brilliant doctor but
more importantly a great person and friend.

Robert Kuehm

Tracey Thayer Mohr

January 20, 2016

I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Swanson's passing. Back in the mid 80's he treated my father for kidney cancer. At one point my dad was given a few months to live, but we got to enjoy Dad's company for another 27 years thanks to David's talents. We considered Dr. Swanson a friend and he even visited our family cabin in MN.

A wedding gift from Dr. Swanson hangs on my wall--I'm still so touched that he reached out to the daughter of a patient years later. It just adds more to the story about the kind of person he was.

Rest in peace Dr. Swanson. You touched so many lives and left a wonderful legacy.

Larry Ginsberg

January 19, 2016

David was a longtime friend and colleague at MDACC. He was my airline guru, always providing advice on travel strategy. I called him sensei for his encyclopedic knowledge.We spoke last in November, and I knew how limited his life was due to pulmonary restriction. I'm sad at how long he suffered limitations on his life, but am so glad our lives crossed paths.

January 19, 2016

My sincere condolences on hearing of the lost of Dr.Swanson.John 5:28

January 18, 2016

My sincerest condolences to the family. May you find much comfort in God's word during this difficult time (Matt. 5:4)

January 17, 2016

Carene, Erik and Melanee, I am very sorry for your loss. David remained a friend long after i no longer worked at MD Anderson. He came to Colorado Springs more than once to lecture to the MDA students there.
Of late, I will miss his witty emails as he fought his illness and also encouraged me.
Dot Smith, Virginia

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