Dick SWILER

Age 94 of Lilydale Passed away on February 4, 2022 His greatest joys were his wife, children and grandchildren. He loved music, especially classical piano and big bands. Dick was the best storyteller and pfannkuchen maker. He was sweet, funny and wise. Dick was born in Minneapolis. His family lived in Los Angeles during The Depression and then moved to his beloved Hayward, Wis. when he was 13. In 1945, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Yoksuka, Japan at the end of WWII. Dick went to Superior State where he majored in music. During the Korean War, he served at Nellis AFB near Las Vegas where he coordinated USO shows. Dick married Jill in 1955, and they settled in Hayward. He had a special bond with his brother Barry with whom he ran Rivkin's, the family business, for more than 30 years. He loved golfing and deer hunting with his buddies Gordy, Jack, Nate and George at Red Ike Lake; grilling brats at the annual Hayward July 4th picnic; Minnesota Orchestra concerts; ordering No. 16 at the Nankin and the Oyster Loaf at Casamento's. Dick and Jill retired to Las Vegas and then moved to St. Paul to be near family. Always curious, he continued learning at UNLV, Mount Zion Temple, and attended the OLLI President's Class through last week. He noticed the beauty in small things. Dick was preceded in death by wife, Jill; parents, Arnold & Bess Swiler; sister-in-law, Jan Swiler; and brother-in-law, Tony Lazarus. Survived by children, Leah (Bill Blaser), Julie, Noah (Kim), and Rebecca Swiler; grandchildren, Jack, Zoe and Bess; brother, Barry Swiler; brother-in-law, Barry Lazarus, and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral service 2 PM MONDAY February 7th at MOUNT ZION TEMPLE, 1300 Summit Ave., St. Paul or via livestream at mzion.org. Masks required for funeral service. SHIVA 7 PM Monday via Zoom. Email zoom1@hodroffepstein.com for the link. Memorials preferred to The BrightFocus Foundation or Hayward Community Food Shelf. Hodroff-Epstein 651-698-8311 www.hodroffepstein.com