Orvar Swenson

Orvar Swenson obituary, Charleston, SC

Orvar Swenson

Orvar Swenson Obituary

Visit the J. Henry Stuhr Downtown Chapel website to view the full obituary.
Orvar Swenson, M.D., was born in Helsingborg, Sweden on February 7, 1909. He was the third child of Amanda and Carl Albert Swenson. He grew up with his brother Alvin and sister Lillie. His father was a wheelwright and a missionary of the Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints (now known as the Community of Christ). In 1917 his family immigrated to Independence, Missouri. By the time he reached his teenage years both of his parents had died. He and his brother lived in a boarding house and started a business making fire by friction sets for the Boy Scouts. This business, "Woodcraft", grew to include archery equipment and, for a short time, field hockey sticks. (It is now a nationwide company selling equipment and tools for woodworking.) In 1929 Orvar graduated from William Chrisman High School in Independence, Missouri where he had been elected President of the Student Council, was Captain of the Debate Team and President of the Anti Smoking League. He graduated from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri in 1933. He then forsook the business world and entered Harvard University Medical School in Boston. He and his brother Alvin were in the same class and shared textbooks. After graduation he served his internship at Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He returned to the Harvard University Program at Boston Lying In Hospital for his surgical residency. He spent a year as the Tracey Cabot Fellow doing research on Hirschsprung's Disease and during that year developed a bowel resection procedure that became a cure for this disease. In 1941 he married Melva Elizabeth Criley from Independence, Missouri. They honeymooned in the Smokey Mountains on their way to Boston where they settled and raised their three daughters. In 1945 he became an Assistant Professor in Pediatric Surgery at Harvard University in Boston where he was a pediatric surgeon at Children's Hospital and worked with Dr. Robert Gross. In 1949 Orvar became the first Pediatric Surgeon at Tufts University, Boston Floating Hospital in Boston. In 1960 he moved his family to Chicago, Illinois and became the Surgeon-in-Chief at the Children's Memorial Hospital. Orvar traveled extensively demonstrating his Hirschsprung's procedure in hospitals all over the world: India, Australia, South America, Europe and Canada. During his career he received many awards and commendations worldwide and he served as President of the American Pediatric Surgical Association from 1964-1965. He wrote over 100 papers published in numerous medical journals. His book "Pediatric Surgery" was a standard textbook read by pediatric surgery residents worldwide. Orvar had a passion for sailing and spent 50 years sailing his various boats (SS Enema, Golden Arrow, Three Belles, and Droja) in the Great Lakes, Eastern Seaboard from Maine to Florida and the Mediterranean Sea. In 1973 he retired with his wife Melva to Rockport, Maine. They were snowbirds and also had a home in Ft. Pierce, Florida. He took up woodworking in retirement and made many beautiful pieces of furniture. In 2000 Orvar and Melva moved to Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community in Charleston, South Carolina. Orvar was married for 67 years when his wife Melva died in 2008. Orvar Swenson loved the adventures of life as well as truth and family. He had a keen interest in world affairs and environmental issues. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends – especially daughters: Wenda Elizabeth Swenson (Houston, Texas); Elsa Swenson Teel (Blue Hill, Maine); and Melva "Mimi" Swenson Owens (Charleston, South Carolina); grandchildren: Catherine Devore Johnson, Christopher James Edmond Devore, Jenna Viktoria Frasca, Tyra Lilly Walsh, William Orvar Owens, and Evan Swenson Owens; great grandchildren: Ethan Devore Johnson, Lila Elise Johnson, Matiyah Victory Frasca, Beckett Criley Walsh, Wyatt Swenson Walsh, and Thayer James Devore. A memorial service will be held in the chapel at Bishop Gadsden at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, 2012. The family will greet friends following the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Bishop Gadsden Residents' Assistance Fund, 1 Bishop Gadsden Way, Charleston, SC, 29412. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.

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July 6, 2012

Douglas Johnstone posted to the memorial.

May 21, 2012

Daniel Lessard posted to the memorial.

April 28, 2012

Someone posted to the memorial.

Douglas Johnstone

July 6, 2012

I am deeply sad to learn of Dr. Swenson's death. I was one of his first patients--perhaps indeed his very first Hirschsprungs patient--at Children's Hospital, Boston. He had not yet developed his "pull through" technique at the time, and as a result he did a complete colectomy on me in 1947. As a result, I am one of the first to survive Hirschsprungs and I owe him my life. He was a wonderful man and a wonderful surgeon.

Daniel Lessard

May 21, 2012

I am so sorry to hear of Dr Swenson's passing.
As a infant from Waterville Maine I was born with Herschsprungs disease. My mother persistently sought several second opinions about my symptoms and found her way to the Boston Floating hospital.
Surgery was performed by Dr. Swenson and I am now 58 and healthy.
I had a follow up meeting in 1972 for a medical journal he was writing.
I owe my life to him and his surgical technique in 1954.
Rest in peace

April 28, 2012

I just wanted to give your family my condolences for your father. He was a great man. Back in 1965 I was brought to Children's Memorial Hospital. He did several surgeries on me,for I was the first baby to survive having my esphogas reconnected thru the back. On his 100th birthday I got the pleasure to speak to him and thanked him for everything he did for me. He was very happy to speak to me and invited me to visit him, unfortunately I never got a chance. I'll share a funny story that I'll never forget, My father would tell him all the time she never eats, I remeber like it was yesterday; Mr. Eisen when she gets hunger she will eat. My family and loved ones will be greatful forever.
Monica Eisen
Chicago, IL

Mary & Jim Thompson

April 16, 2012

48 years ago we met Dr. Swenson when we took our newborn, David, to Chicago from Oklahoma - his gentle genius guided us through many surgeries for many years to repair David's bladder exstrophy. We laughed, met his wonderful wife, and both of his daughters along the way. Dr. and Mrs. Swenson took a particular interest in David and we were invited to visit them in Maine, and aboard his boat in Florida. Our sorrow is that we lost touch with them some years ago--had no idea he still lived until now. The counsel he gave us when he sent us home for a few days from Chicago after one of the month-long stays (no pediatrician in our small Okla. community) with cast, tubes etc. simply saying "David's father and brother are home--you need each other and you can do it" gave us the strengh to actually do it. David was one of his artificial sphincter tries --we just all adored him. Dave is now a healthy father of three, successful owner of his own business in Houston and gives the credit to Dr. Swenson. Those sparkling bright blue eyes, his humor and his intellect--We join the world of medicine saddened by the loss of that fine physician and caring human. Mary Jane and Jim Thompson, Norman, Oklahoma

Lynn Orschel

April 16, 2012

Dear Elsa:

I was saddened to learn of your dear father's passing and I hasten to send you and your family my heartfelt sympathy.

I have very fond memories of your father at Children's Memorial Hospital.

Although there is little one can say or do at a time like this, I hope the kind wishes of your friends will help ease your burden.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sincerely,

Lynn Orschel

Odyssey Hospice Family

April 16, 2012

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Paula & Jim Levy

April 15, 2012

It is with great sadness to learn of the passing of of Dr. Swenson. Your father saved our son's life 43 years ago. We are very grateful for his Swensons Pull Through.

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July 6, 2012

Douglas Johnstone posted to the memorial.

May 21, 2012

Daniel Lessard posted to the memorial.

April 28, 2012

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