Charles Ridge Swindle

Charles Ridge Swindle (1948–2026)

Charles Ridge Swindle, 77, of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away on February 20, 2026, following an illness. A man of remarkable intellect and profound empathy, Charles was known for his gentle nature, his generosity, and a sharp, witty sense of humor that allowed him to speak his truth without apology.

Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on September 19, 1948, Charles was the son of the late Chief Warrant Officer 4 Lester Earl Swindle and Joyce Lavada Ridge Swindle. As the son of a career U.S. Army officer, his youth was defined by global travel, living in Germany as well as Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Washington. He later attended the University of South Florida in Tampa, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in English Language in 1968.

Charles's professional life was as expansive as his upbringing. After living in New York City in the early 1970s and spending a decade in his birthplace of Tupelo, MS he built a distinguished career in Home Décor manufacturing. His work as a Vice President of Product Development took him across the world, including years spent living and working in Guangzhou, China, for Caffco International and Hong Kong for the China Christmas Collection. He eventually returned to the U.S., working for Sensation Silk in Huntington Beach, California, before retiring to Scottsdale in 2010.

Charles is survived by his beloved husband, William Wai Lam Pang, and his sister, Toni Swindle Bew. He was preceded in death by his parents and his niece, Ashly Bew Suhreptz.

The family sincerely thanks the doctors and nurses at Honor Health Hospital Shea for the compassionate care and support they provided to Charles.

A Celebration of Life is planned for March 14, 2026, with further details to follow. In honor of Charles's legacy of kindness and honesty, the family encourages you to share a witty story or perform an act of generosity in his name by donating to the Movement Disorders Foundation of Arizona https://mdfa.us/, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with Parkinson's disease.