Lt. Col. Kenneth Swingle M.D.

Lt. Col. Kenneth Swingle M.D.

United States Air Force, Retired

Kenneth Ray Swingle, 90, of Henderson, passed away Feb. 21, 2006, in Henderson. He was born in Lake Ariel, Pa., Oct. 14, 1915, to Clifford R. and Bertha Rahn Swingle. Ken had one younger sister, Gladys Swingle. Ken graduated from Lake Ariel Academy in 1934, a class of three; George Vandeman, James Swingle and Kenneth Swingle. He attended Washington Missionary College, Takoma Park, Md., graduating in 1938, with a bachelor of science in chemistry and pre-med. He then attended College of Medical Evangelists (today Loma Linda University) in Loma Linda, Calif., graduating in 1942 as doctor of medicine. Ken married Ellen Lorraine Poppe, an RN, May 14, 1942, while working at White Memorial Hospital, Los Angeles. Ken joined the U.S. Army in 1943, serving with the 708th Amphibious Tractor Battalion in the Asian Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. Attached to the 4th Marine Division and seeing action in the Marshall Islands, Marianas Islands, Philippines, and Ryukyus, Ken went in with the Marines, storming the beaches and setting up initial medical aid stations on the beaches, then treating and transferring the wounded back to the landing ships via the DUKW's. The specific islands included Einewetok, Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, Makin, Leyte and Okinawa. He received many awards, including the Bronze Star, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, and Presidential Unit Citation. Post World War II duty included the California Air National Guard, seeing active duty during the Korean War. Ken joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves in 1953, serving as staff medical officer with the 8369th AFRes Recovery Group, Wyoming, Pa.; the 9200th AFRes Recovery Group, Allentown, Pa.; and as commander of the 547th AFRes Medical Services Flight, Dover, Del. Ken's total military service time was 33 years, one month and 14 days. After retiring from private general medical practice in Slatington, Pa., from 1952-1977, Ken moved briefly to Beaver, Utah, then to Boulder City in 1982, and Henderson in 1993. Ken was preceded in death by his wife, of 51 years, Ellen Lorraine Poppe Swingle. He is survived by his daughters, Kathleen A. Van Cleve of Chandler, Ariz., and Karen Rae Coe of Bethesda, Md.; son, Kermit R. Swingle of Boulder City; grandsons, Douglas and Wesley Van Cleve, both of Chandler, Ariz., Morgan Coe of Boston, and Mattieu Coe of Worcester, Mass.; and great-grand-daughters, Riley and Zoe Van Cleve, both of Chandler, Ariz. A funeral service will be at 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. Interment immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, make contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, 702-248-2770. Boulder City Family Mortuary handled the arrangements.