Raymond Swarts
1946 - 2023
Raymond Swarts
1946 - 2023
Obituary
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Raymond Swarts Obituary
September 20, 1946 - March 14, 2023
Verdi, Nevada - Dr. Raymond Swarts died unexpectedly on March 14th, 2023. Ray was born in Windsor, Ontario (Canada), and was raised in Sacramento, where he graduated from Mira Loma High School in 1964. Ray graduated from UC Davis in 1968 and the Saint Louis University School of Medicine in 1974. Ray practiced infectious disease medicine in Reno for over 40 years, mentoring and inspiring many in the medical community along the way.
Everyone who knew Ray experienced his big personality and will miss his playful sarcasm, always seasoned with delightful humor. Ray will be fondly remembered as a respected doctor, an accomplished musician, an amateur hockey player, and a lifelong Red Wings fan. Ray was a fixture at Skatetown in Roseville for many years. His colleagues, patients, fellow musicians, hockey buddies, family, and friends will miss him dearly.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Carla Helfenberger Swarts, father Rosswell Swarts, mother Mary Swarts, brother Bill Swarts, and sister Kim Swarts Zimmerman. He is survived by niece Carrie Swarts Hamilton of Greenwood, California, and nephews Lane Swarts and Drew Swarts, both of Anchorage, Alaska, and Adam Zimmerman of Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is also survived by his dear Canadian cousins and Aunt, who held a very special place in his heart: Velma Swarts, Randy Swarts, Bradley Swarts, Kevin & Lisa Swarts, Dennis & Lee-Ann Swarts, and Dierdre & Tom Reavell. Raymond had an unending passion for ice hockey. Anyone who feels moved to honor his memory may donate to support youth ice hockey by going to GRSHT.com or sending a check made out to Hockey Belongs 2 Everyone to Law Offices, 404 Natoma St. Folsom, CA 95630. A celebration of life will be held in Reno on 4/30/2023. Please share any memories or condolences to the family at https://www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com/obituary.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Shereen Koch
March 30, 2024
The King of Infectious Disease Medicine! Just ask Dr.Dow, or all the other Dr´s I h
Ever scheduled for! Never had the honor of meeting Dr. Swartz personally, but I know the medical community will dearly miss him.
Joyce Davidsen Vierling
April 30, 2023
Carla and I grew up next-door to each other and were best friends from childhood. When Carla enrolled at the University of California Davis, I began hearing about Ray Swarts, who Carla said was funny, musical, and appreciated her art.
My husband and I got married October 28, 1972. Less than two months later, Carla and Ray married. I served as matron of honor in their Episcopal service.
We began visiting when Carla and Ray began their adventures in St. Louis while Ron and I were in Kansas City. When Carla and Ray lived in Montreal, they flew down to us for a warm Christmas. During Ray's service in Korea, we exchanged letters like we had in our college years.
When Ron and I had our first child, our daughter, Quincey, there was no doubt who we would ask to be her godparents, roles Carla and Ray were honored to accept.
When Ron and I had our second child, our son, Rider, the visits continued in their home in Reno, as Ron and I and Quincey and Rider traveled west each summer, as well as visits in our home when Carla and Ray came to Orlando so Ray could play hockey.
After Carla died, Ray continued coming to Tampa, where we live now, for hockey tournaments. Ron and I not only went to see Ray skate, we took time to share dinners, which always led to moving and affectionate conversations. After Quincey died, Ray continued his Tampa hockey tournament visits. He even joined us to watch our granddaughters' soccer games. Only a truly caring friend would be so kind.
Most important, Ray's visits also provided time for us to share our ongoing grief over the loss of both Carla and Quincey. I can never express how much Ron and I will miss the wise and wonderful Raymond Swarts.
Terry Rucker
April 30, 2023
Worked with Dr. Swarts at the VAMC in Reno on the ID team for almost 40 years. He was a great mentor to many and a caring, compassionate human being with a wonderful sense of humor. He will be missed by our whole family.
Don Bergin
April 12, 2023
Please join Ray's family and friends for a Celebration of Life on Sunday, April 30 at 1:00pm at The Elm Estate (1401 W 2nd St, Reno, NV 89503).
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Carol McKee Rosinski
April 7, 2023
My husband Mike Rosinski played hockey with Doc, as he was called, and I remember after a game that Doc would talk about some crazy infectious thing, and Mike would just laugh, shake his head, the two of them together were so funny to watch!! It was The Easter Hockey Tournament every year, all the guys loved each other, respected each other and looked forward to seeing each other every year. Mike died after a hockey game in Vancouver in 2001, so I hope they are up there together now, RIP Doc... you were a good friend and a great hockey player!!
Bruce Bannister
April 3, 2023
A friend, colleague, and incredible hockey player. He could be an animal on the ice, a gentlemen in public, and a caring and generous physician to his patients and doctors seeking his advice. Another great one, gone too soon. Rest well my friend. I hope heaven has a great hockey arena.
Bruce Bannister
Dr Paul Mozen
April 3, 2023
One of the finest physicians I have ever met. He taught me more about medicine than I will ever remember. He tempered science with intuition and a huge sense of humanity. When I was a young resident in medicine he was my mentor and really a role model. He taught me what wasn't in the books, how to be a doctor. I am so lucky that I got to see him and enjoy his company shortly before his death. Soar with the angels Ray....
Jon Kaempfer
April 3, 2023
Best friend for 60 years. So sad this happened. The world lost a great soul and Doctor. Will always miss him and his biting sense of humor. One of my closest friends all these years.
Peg Farrar
April 3, 2023
Worked with him at Washoe Med. So smart and always so pleasant to patients and staff. Such a smart man, very kind.
Jim Tchobanoff
April 2, 2023
I'm very sorry to hear about Ray's passing. I grew up in Detroit, Michigan with Ray and attended grade school & high school with him until he moved to California while we were in the 10th grade. We reconnected about 20 years ago and I visited him whenever I was in Monterey for a Conference. We last spoke in January when he called me. The years flew away whenever we got together in person or by phone. We both are die-hard Red Wing fans. I will miss him. The photo is the boys in our 8th grade graduating class from Carleton Elementary School in January 1960. Ray is right in front & I am the boy with glasses on the left of the fourth step.
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875 West 2nd Street, Reno, NV 89503
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