Richard Sweeney

Richard H. Sweeney
September 1, 1933 - July 2, 2012
Resident of Sunnyvale
78, passed away on Monday, July 2nd at his home with his family at his side after a long battle with cancer. Dick was born in Rockford, Illinois on September 1, 1933 to Harold and Helen Sweeney. Dick attended East High School in Rockford and later the University of Illinois where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Marketing, graduating with honors in 1955. After graduation, Dick worked for Barber Coleman, and then served two years in the U.S. Army in Germany as a medic. Upon returning to the U.S., Dick worked for Sundstrand Aviation Division.
In 1958, he married his wife Janet Louise Anderson and started a family. In 1960, Dick began a 34-year career working for SmithKline in Philadelphia, PA and Burlingame, CA. He held several senior management positions in the Instrument, Pharmaceutical, and Clinical Lab divisions moving his family from Rockford to Cherry Hill, NJ until finally settling in Sunnyvale, CA in 1968.
Dick's Sunnyvale activities over the years include managing a little league baseball team and serving as the president of Sunnyvale Southern Little League for two years. He was also an active member of the Sons in Retirement (SIRs). Dick enjoyed playing golf with his family and close friends from the SIRs at Sunken Gardens Golf Course in Sunnyvale. He also enjoyed studying history and took local college courses on the subject.
Dick was an avid sports fan following SF Bay Area baseball and football teams, and was glued to the TV during March Madness. He was also a lifelong New York Yankees Fan and finally made the pilgrimage to Yankee Stadium in 2000. He was especially proud of his alma mater, and attended his 50th class reunion in 2005 with Janet in Champaign, IL.
Dick is survived by his wife Janet, and his three children, Carol Sweeney Fallon (Mike Fallon) of San Mateo, California, Mike Sweeney (Trisa Sweeney) of Sunnyvale, California and Jill Sweeney (Mark Frost) of South Salem, New York. Dick is also survived by six grandchildren: Samantha, Tommy, Eric and Michelle Fallon; Joseph and John Sweeney. He also leaves his brother Robert Sweeney, cousins Wayne Erickson and Bill Erickson of Rockford, Illinois, Judy Carlson and Kathy Horn of Wisconsin and many nieces and nephews. In 2008, Dick and Janet celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with all their close friends, children and grandchildren.
A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 1:00P.M with Visitation starting at 11:00A.M at LIMA CAMPAGNA SUNNYVALE MORTUARY, 1315 Hollenbeck Ave., Sunnyvale. Interment to follow at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, Santa Clara.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society (at www.cancer.org) or the American Lung Association (at www.lung.org/donate).