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Glenn Swayne Obituary

Glenn D. Swayne Age 72, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, passed away Thursday, February 10, 2011 surrounded by family and friends. Glenn formerly resided in Ossining, NY for thirty years and retired from Chappaqua Public Schools in 2000 where he taught photography. Glenn is survived by his wife Judy, adult children Matthew Swayne and Rebecca Armstrong and grandchildren Rashawn, Rayna and Racquel. Services and interment were held privately.

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Published by Santa Fe New Mexican on Feb. 13, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Glenn Swayne

15 Entries

Dr. Mekah Gordon

February 6, 2021

I still miss him, and his smiling mustachioed face.
He was a gentleman, extremely talented Artist, mentor, teacher, colleague, and friend.
17 summer school years, teaching Studio Art, at Chappaqua High School.
Miss, bumping into you at the Agora, and catching up for the moment.

Jane Martin

October 25, 2020

Glenn Swayne was one of my favorite teachers at Horace Greeley High School. One day, I remember Mrs. Swayne bringing in their new baby Rebecca. Mr. Swayne said they chose the name Rebecca because there were no Rebeccas at HGHS. I also remember Mr. Tucci ( another fabulous art teach at HGHS) saying that a baby is the ultimate work of art. Those words about a baby
have stayed with all these years. I have very nice memories of the art room at HGHS. Thank you

Debbie Kahn Cunningham

May 8, 2011

I just heard about Mr. Swayne's passing. The benefit of going to HGHS was the opportunity of being exposed to an abnormally high number of exceptional teachers. Mr. Swayne was far and away among an elite few who were the best of the best - changing the lives of those he taught and held to a higher standard they they ever thought they could attain, and thereby indirectly affecting many more lives through his students. He will be missed, but leaves a legacy which will live on. My sincerest condolences to his family and close friends

Alice Child Dabiri

February 17, 2011

I just hope that Mr Swayne was aware of how much of an impact he had on his students. I consider it a privilege to have been one of them.

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Mike Rubinstein

February 16, 2011

My most heartfelt sympathy for the Swayne family. And, Mr. Swayne, thank you for reaching out, breaking through and connecting with me and so many of your former students. You will be sorely missed.

Katie Losey

February 16, 2011

As a former student of Mr. Swayne's at Horace Greeley High School, I will never be able to forget his discerning look! All of his students knew it too well. He was such an incredible teacher, and I consider myself so lucky to have spent four years learning alongside him. The dark room was my second home in high school and it was all because of him.

Alexander Heilner

February 15, 2011

When I tell friends and colleagues that "Mr. Swayne", my high school photography teacher, was an inspiration, I think they generally assume I mean as a photographer, since I did go on to a career making and teaching about photographs. But that's not really it.

He was an inspiration as a person. As a teacher for sure, but even more so as a guide to being oneself. Glenn was a bit hard for students to figure out, because he didn't quite conform to any expectations. He was downright scary to some students, but not at all hard to get along with. He was very serious, but also harbored a keen and sophisticated sense of humor. He was a quiet observer much of the time, but always managed to say the thing you needed to hear. Once one was able to put aside any presumptions about him, and just pay attention, one could quickly see what a rich and complex person he was, and how endearing this could be. This was in itself a powerful life lesson.

As a young student, I'm not sure how well one can truly know one's teacher/mentor, but I can say with confidence that I have never known anyone quite like Glenn. And that without my realizing it at the time, he taught me an enormous amount about personal vision; generosity of spirit; creativity; and most importantly, that one can walk to one's own drummer without having to walk alone.

Judy

February 15, 2011

memorial donations may be made to Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity.

Geraldine

February 15, 2011

I am so sorry for the loss of your dear loved one. It's comforting to know that God cares for all of us. The Bible gives us hope that one day we can see our loved ones again. On behalf of all mankind Jesus surrendered his soul. John 15:13 says “No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his soul on behalf of his friends.” Truly I am sorry to hear of the loss of your dear loved one and I hope these few words will bring you comfort and hope.

He taught us not only the skills, but the love of photography, as well.

David Evan Todd

February 15, 2011

A piece, of Santa Fe, from me to you.

Dr Mekah Gordon

February 14, 2011

Dear Swayne Family & Friends ~

I couldn't believe what I read last night, when I came across Glen's passing, in the paper.
I was in total shock and disbelief.
Glen and I, taught together at Chappaqua High School, during the summer, for 17 years.
What a wonderful human being, teacher and colleague.
Every once in a while, we'd run into each other at the Agora Shopping Center, in Eldorado, yet for the last few years, he was on my mind and just wondered why I hadn't seen him around.
Apparently, I was unaware he was ill and just thought that he and Judy might have moved closer to be with their family.
This news, has broken my heart, but I have wonderful memories of those summer days, we taught together in Chappaqua, NY.
My deepest sympathy to Judy, his children, grandchildren, friends and fellow colleagues.
Santa Fe will miss his great sense of humor, creativity and mustache.

Be at peace, my friend ~
Mekah

Dr. Mekah Gordon
Santa Fe, NM

Diana Borman

February 14, 2011

As fellow HGHS staff members, we had many opportunities to know the special nature of Glenn's personality. We have fond memories of those Faculty Art Show skits. Much love to Judy and the family. Diana and Bob

William Reynolds

February 14, 2011

Prayers and sympathies to the family.
William and Joan Reynolds

February 13, 2011

Glenn was a remarkable teacher. He could handle silence in the classroom. He was demanding and a stickler for craft and got brilliant work from students, a number of whom have gone on to professional work as photographers. He was one of those unsung heroes of the classroom. For 30 years, he arrived at school about 6:00 AM, and stayed until at least 4:00 so that students could use the darkroom. He would spend entire SAturdays at school for the same reason and to help students create art portfolios for college application. He took a small subset of art--one course--and made it into an entire program, with eight different electives. I learned a lot about teaching from sharing the classroom with him for eight semesters of On Creating. You could see how much the students revered him and how fond of him they were. One Halloween, all the yearbook staff came dressed like him, in sweatshirt, sneakers, jeans, wild eyebrows somehow perched on their foreheads. This little eulogy does not do him service. He was a remarkable man and cherished friend.
Alice Cross

February 11, 2011

Glenn,

We will have a great void in our lives. But you will be remembered for life.
Love you always. Trina, Tevin, Nesha.

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