ROBERT PATTERSON "PAT" SWAN Jr.

1935 - 2021

Robert Swan passed away peacefully on July 21, 2021 with his wife, Gin, and daughter, Clare, at his side. Pat was 86 years old.

Born in Plains, GA to Grace Virginia and Robert P. Swan, Pat was raised in Ft. Valley, GA in his family home built by his maternal grandfather. Early on Pat took a liking to agriculture, history, and sports.

At Fort Valley High School Pat not only excelled in academics; his athleticism earned him letters in football, basketball, and track. It's an understatement to say that he was "big man on campus." Pat's 1952 basketball team went 33-0 undefeated and was considered the best ever squad in the state of Georgia by Furman Bisher, known as the dean of Southern Sportswriters.

After high school Pat attended Vanderbilt University. On the track team he set a shot put record, and he excelled in football playing tackle on both offense and defense. Pat made history by competing in Vandy's 25-13 win over Auburn in the storied 1955 Gator Bowl. In 1957, in Vandy's victory over Georgia Pat was awarded the game ball.

Pat was involved in ROTC and was a proud member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity where he gained lifelong friends. Pat was a loyal friend to all, and a committed history scholar especially in his retirement years. He spent countless hours studying Civil War battles, the American Revolution, and World War II.

Pat was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers but chose to pursue a career in the Army. Entering as a Second Lieutenant, Pat was assigned to the Monterey language school where he specialized in conversational French. Stationed in Stuttgart, Germany Pat met his wife, Giannina Baroni (Gin) one night in the Officer's Club. She had just arrived from Los Angeles to teach kids on the base. The two returned to Los Angeles to marry in 1960. That marriage lasted over 60 years and produced four children.

After several years in Germany, Pat and Gin decided to settle in Los Angeles. Pat left the service and chose a career in insurance, first at Allstate, and then with his own boutique agency for nearly 40 years. This allowed Pat the freedom to attend just about every single sporting event that his four kids played, sometimes three in a day. Moving his family to Woodland Hills, his kids attended El Camino Real High School. Pat was their number one fan. Everyone knew and respected "Mr. Swan" and given his support and encouragement nobody wanted to let him down. Pat's gracious Southern personality made everyone feel welcome and loved. Pat and Gin opened their home to the community, hosting parties and feeding lots of kids! During the 80's when busing began in LA some of the very best times were had by kids who for the first time got a taste of life outside the inner city and found themselves welcomed and embraced at Pat and Gin's home, all bonded by the love of sports.

Pat loved people, entertaining, vodka martinis with olives, and just being around others. His magnetism made those around him feel special, safe, and loved. He was always genuinely interested in what you were doing in life and it was contagious.

Pat was predeceased by his parents, his brother Jack, sister in law, Lou, and nephew, Reed. Pat leaves behind his adoring and caregiving wife, Gin, his four children, daughter, Clare, and sons Turner (Caren), Rob (Amy), and Jack (Amie) and eight grandchildren, Alex, Morgan, Stella, Karolina, Juliette, Turner, Jack L. and Shay. He is also survived by his twin siblings William L. "Bill" Swan (Molly) and Virginia "Jenny" Andrew (Buddy) and nieces and nephews Thomas, Molly, Sally, Kate, Lawson (Mandy), Richard (Cindy), Andrew (Corie), John (April), and Sally (Jonathan). He also leaves behind many loving friends and you all know who you are.

To honor Pat, the family asks that you take the time to lift someone up whether they need it or not. Make that phone call, ask your neighbor over for dinner, lend your ear, express words of encouragement to a friend or stranger.

The family would like to thank the staff at Zion Residential Care of Granada Hills, and Reliance Hospice of Canoga Park. Though your time together with Pat was brief, the impact of your love and comfort will be felt forever.

At Pat's request, a family gathering and celebration will be held in November in Georgia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Saint Jude's Children's Hospital at
https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html.