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Samuel Swanlund Obituary
Samuel Harper Swanlund passed away peacefully at his home July 18, 2003. Sam was born in Eureka, February 9, 1931, to Oscar and Arvilla Swanlund. He grew up in Eureka, attended local schools and attended UC Santa Barbara, then served in the military as a cryptographer before a tour of duty in Japan. On returning he planned to start dental school in the fall.
After a summer working with his father at Swanlund’s Camera Shop, he decided to stay in Eureka. With his childhood friend Herb Frahman, they owned and operated Swanlund’s Camera Shop for 20 years and enjoyed the friendship of their many customers.
Sam taught photography at Eureka Adult School, College of the Redwoods, Humboldt State University, and private classes. He later worked for Louisiana Pacific Lumber Company in Public Relations, and being very much a people person, loved the job.
Sam was active in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Rotary, Mended Hearts, and in his community. After "retiring" when he wasn’t doing community comments for KINS Radio, he could be found in his log cabin studio painting historical pictures of Humboldt County, which are displayed in many area businesses.
Sam was well travelled, always on the go, had a long list of things to do and people to see, but always loved coming home to the family resident at Pigeon Point.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda Swanlund; his five children, Richard Swanlund, Brenda Hayes, Daron Wilson, Sandi Curran, and Scott Swanlund; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and brother, Loring Swanlund.
A brother, David Swanlund, preceded Sam in death.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 25, 2003, at 12 noon, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 4251 “F” Street, Eureka.
Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Mortuary Chapels/Pierce Chapel, Eureka.
The family request that memorial contributions be made to Humboldt Area Foundation, 373 Indianola Rd., Bayside, CA 95524 or Humboldt Bay Adventist Christian School, 70 Stephens Lane, Bayside, CA 95524.
Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com, click on obituaries.
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Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Swanlund
Mike Goldsby
August 8, 2003
Sam was always nice to me and I enjoyed his wit and intelligence. His Community Comments were always educational, entertaining and thought provoking. He was not afraid to express feelings and not afraid to say what he thought. I admired him and miss his presence, especially on KINS.
Donna Johnson
August 3, 2003
To a Special Family,
Your thought of each day, and will be for a very long time. As I go to work each day & always put a smile on for Sam, it's hard but it makes me think of the happy times as he was teaching me about the photography world for the last 20 some years. He was a GREAT BOSS and better Second DAD anyone could ask for! Love to each of you, Donna and Family
Robert Simpson
July 27, 2003
Dear Samuel Harper Swanlund,
I miss you so much. You were my best friend, my mentor and my sole mate. I am a better person for having known you.
Thank you for always being there to pick me up when I was down and for your timely phone calls to remind me to seek peace and balance in my life.
Thank you for displaying your faith in God and for encouraging me to do the same.
Thank you for sharing your lessons in life. I will apply them each and every day I live.
I vow to keep Wanda and your children in my prayers, as I know you would do the same for me.
May you rest in peace my friend.
Your guiding light will always shine bright in my life.
Eternally yours,
Bob Simpson
LeAnne Bourdon
July 26, 2003
I always enjoyed our chats over the years as Sam picked out videos in my store.("The Video Connection- The Domes") I took his class and I learned how to colorize old photo's.I feel he gave me a special part of himself , a gift I will always treasure.
Scott, I think of you so very often and know how proud your Dad was of you. You were always special to me too. God bless your family, please find comfort in all your wonderful memories, My prayers and love are with you and your family . LeAnne Bourdon
Mr. & Mrs. Stanwood Murphy Jr.
July 25, 2003
Sam will be greatly missed throughout our community. Our deepest sympathies are with you at this time of great loss.
Mr. & Mrs. Stanwood A. Murphy Jr.
Melva Duclo
July 25, 2003
Condolences to the Swanlund family. Sam will be missed by all who knew him.
LIAM HOOTON
July 25, 2003
It was a privilege to know Sam Swanlund – a man wonderfully saved by grace, whose joy was in the Lord. A man of wisdom and generosity, who knew who he was and where he was going. We shall not see his like again!Three quotes from his hero, Winston Churchill, come to mind when we think of Sam:-“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give” “We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end.”And with a humor that Sam would have echoed: “I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.”With love and fond memories,Liam & Elaine Hooton,Hinckley,England
Sarah Hathcock
July 24, 2003
Wanda and Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I wish that I had, had the opportunity to get to know Sam better. He will truly be missed. Larry has a very special place in his heart for Sam and will miss him more than I will ever be able to articulate. What a wonderful, kind and loving man. He did so much for the community, his family, friends and I cannot imaging a greater loss.
God bless you in heaven Sam.
Sarah Hathcock
Barbara Slade
July 24, 2003
My condolences to all Sam's family and friends. Sam's influence in the arts and as a community minded person will be greatly missed.
His friendly smile and willingness to share his expertise especially in photography has guided many.
He will long be remembered by all who met him. Barbara Slade, former student, teacher, and resident of Humboldt County
Ashley Dunlap
July 24, 2003
Wanda- I am very sorry for your loss, Sam was a great person and a exellent educator. When he would come into swanlunds he always had something positive to say to me and he would ask me how my picture taking was going. Again I am very sorry for your loss.
Daphne Hershberger
July 24, 2003
Sam was an inspiration! We'll all miss his community comments - a wonderful man.
Richard Young
July 24, 2003
Wamda- was so sorry to hear about Sam he was one of my favorites I always looked forward to seeing Sam whenever I was in town
sincerly Rich
Dwight McGillivray
July 23, 2003
I have known Sam for over forty years. He was a good person.
Dwight McGillivray
Phil Sutter
July 23, 2003
I am saddened by Sam's passing. I always enjoyed talking to Sam when we worked together at L.P. There are several photo/pictures hanging on my office wall that Sam did. I enjoy looking at them every day and they are always a conversation piece when I have guests.
Marian Whitten
July 23, 2003
Thanks for the memories, especially at the Forks of the Salmon.
We will miss the laughs,the friendship, the great mind...the man.
Our prayers are with you Wanda.
Phil & Marian Whitten
Patrick Lynch
July 23, 2003
I bought my camera from Sam. Last year I asked him to critique some of my photographic work, and we certainly enjoyed the visit. I also learned a bit about photography from him, but I learned more about a good man. I am lucky and blessed to have known him. He will be missed by many.
Denise Downey
July 23, 2003
My heart is very sad today, to learn of Sam's passing and to mourn not only a wonderful, warm and talented man, but also the huge loss to our community of all the art and knowledge that Sam possessed.
I had the great luck and pleasure to have been in his photo class last fall, and will treasure all that he taught us, along with his great humor and patience. I only wish I could have known him longer.
My heartfelt condolences to all the Swanlund family.
Donna Biasca Hover
July 23, 2003
When ever I bumped into Sam, he knew who I was, but rarely remembered my name, so he always addressed me as "friend". I loved that. He truly was a wonderful man. I will treasure the photos that he transformed into pieces of art that I am fortunate enough to own.
Robert Morelli
July 23, 2003
I've known Sam for over 30 years. He was a man I respected and admired for his ethics and huge heart. This area has lost a treasure in that he was a walking encyclopedia of local history. I remember how amazed I was when I last visited the log cabin studio just a few weeks ago, and as we were looking through some of his art, he was able to name the locations and the people in the photographs. He took such delight in sharing his knowledge. I will miss him, but he will always be an inspiration and a model for my life.
Shirley Simon
July 23, 2003
Sam will be missed. He knew how to be a true friend. He help me to see life as a true Christian. My heart goes out to Wanda and family at this difficult time. I had the pleasure of speaking to Sam just a couple of hours before he went to sleep in Christ. What a wonderful visit we had. I will truly cherish those memories. He will be missed in this community and by all who knew him.
Tammy Aronson (Lee)
July 23, 2003
The Lee triplets, Tim, Tammy & Terry wish to send their sympathy to the Swanlund family. Sam was a wonderful cousin. He often visited my mother Ru-Flo and father Frank Lee in Berkeley and I remember stories of the visits told to us by my mother, his aunt. I also remember visits to his camera shop and get togethers with the whole family. He will be truly missed.
Janis Wilcox Christiansen
July 22, 2003
Bob Wilcox is my big brother and Sammy was like a big brother when I grew up in Eureka. Oscar and Arvilla and their children were favorites of my parents, Lew and Frances Wilcox. I shall never forget the Swanlunds. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Blessings to you all, Janis Wilcox Christiansen Today, July 22 is my father's birthday.
Lowell and Beverly Dobyns
July 22, 2003
We always enjoyed our visits with
Sam. Aren't we thankful for the blessed hope? Soon Jesus will come.
Our love and prayers.
Jerry Carter
July 22, 2003
It has been truly a pleasure knowing you for so many years.
Barbara Slade
July 22, 2003
Sam Swanlund's photographs will forever stand as a reminder of a man whose diverse talents were know by most Humboldt County residents and beyond. He will long be remembered as a kind gentle man
instructor, mentor, and artist.
Barbara J. Slade, former Eureka resident
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