Obituaries
David L Swanson, 83
April 30, 2025
David L. Swanson was born in Stambaugh, Michigan on March 11, 1942. The oldest in a family of five children, Swanson grew up competing in sports and reading encyclopedias.
After an ideal small-town childhood of playing every kind of sport on Nelson Field, skiing behind the Lutheran Church and Brule Mountain, and polishing floors of the New Grace Covenant Church, he matriculated to North Park College (NPC) in Chicago with a National Merit Scholarship and an athletic scholarship.
At North Park College, Swanson became the starting quarterback in his first game as a freshman and held that position for all four seasons. He is still the only NPC Viking athlete to earn 12 varsity letters in football, basketball, tennis and track. During those four years he captained five teams.
Upon graduation with his Bachelor of Science, he entered graduate school at the Illinois Institute of Technology, majoring in experimental elementary particle physics. He did his thesis work at Argonne National Laboratory just outside Chicago. He graduated with his PhD in 1973.
Swanson married his college sweetheart, Linda Bothun, on June 19, 1965 and continued his graduate work while his wife worked to earn her PhT (Put hubby Through) degree. Upon graduating, his life took an unexpected turn. A college friend living in Washington DC helped Swanson to find a job with the ranking member of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy. With his scientific background, Swanson rose quickly in the ranks of the House and Senate committee structure and in 1980 was offered a position in the Reagan White House as the Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs where he worked for three years.
Following the White House, Swanson worked at a law firm and as a Senior Vice President at the Edison Electric Institute.
During these years, he and the family restored and lived in two homes in DC. The first was in NE DC on Capitol Hill and the second was in the NW DC neighborhood of Forest Hills.
Swanson retired in 2004 and moved to a golfing community near Beckley, West Virginia. He and Linda enjoyed 15 years in this marvelous setting. In 2019, they moved to the Moravian Manor senior care facility in Lititz, PA to be near their daughter, Ana and her family who live in Lancaster.
Swanson leaves behind his wife, Linda, his daughter, Ana and her husband Michael and their son Oskar living in Lancaster, PA, and his son Jonathan who lives in Greensboro, NC.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Moravian Manor, 300 W Lemon St, Lititz, PA 17543 beginning at 2pm that all are welcome to attend.
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Condolences to the Family
May 14, 2025
The Kinders met Dave and Linda on our walking of the Moravian Manor Community. Immediately, there was a Michigander connection with the Swansons being “uppers” and Kinders “trolls”. Our connection carried to lunches and dinners…then health changes led to email exchanges in support of programming of Contemporary Issues on campus. Dave loved to participate on ZOOM and share his wise interpretation of the issues. He would marvel that we came from two poles of thought and could discuss topics with a civil tone. I will miss my friend Dave and only wish I knew Dave and Linda longer at their peak. My very best to Linda and family, Rick Kinder, Lititz
May 12, 2025
The Chester and Ann Shoquist children originally from Stambaugh, Michigan and Grace Covenant Church express our sincere condolences to the Swanson Family.
Chuck
Ronnie
Steve
Carrie
May 10, 2025
Thoughts and prayers to my Swanson family! Uncle Dave will surely be missed by so many.
Laura Erickson
May 10, 2025
We are saddened by the news of Dave’s death, but deeply grateful to God for him. He and Linda were dear “extended family” to us, from the days of Jon’s first foray into D.C. in 1981, when their favors to Jon quite literally opened up the rest of his adult life, because he would return, meet Sharon there, and the two of us would settle initially in the D.C. area. Our sons Erik and Karl also loved their Uncle Dave. We have many good memories and stories, and the photos and videos to document them. We had less contact after we moved west in 1997, and regret the last time we could see them was four years ago–still, they remained close to us in heart and we will miss Dave dearly. We fervently pray that Linda, Ana, and Jonathan will know the comfort of Christ in this time.–Jon and Sharon Holmlund
May 08, 2025
We are so saddened to learn of Dave’s passing. Linda and Dave became some of our closest friends when we moved to Glade Springs. We enjoyed so many dinners together as well as conversations around the fire pit. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Linda, Ana, and Jonathon.
May 07, 2025
Prayers to my Swanson cousins during this difficult time. What a beautiful life God gave to Dave and his family. I have good cousin memories. I am sure you all have thousands of wonderful memories that you will cherish.
Cousin Carol Barnes
May 05, 2025
John and I were saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. We have many fond memories of our time with Dave and Linda when they lived in Glade Springs. May Dave rest in peace and his family find comfort in their many wonderful memories of their time together.
John and Tali Stepp
May 05, 2025
Dear Linda & family, You have my deepst heartfelt condolences. Dave was certaintly a very special modest guy that i’m sure everyone looked up to and respected. I’m sure everone one liked him the moment they met him. I played football with Dave at Stambo and was a class mate.
I just lost my wife Lucena of 52 years a couple weeks ago so I think I know what your going through and it just ain’t easy. What helps me when the loss becomes overwhelming is to know that she is no longer suffering and in a better place and that I will see her again. God bless you and your family during this very difficult time. You certainty have my prayers.
Bob (Hector) Olsen
May 05, 2025
We were so saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. We spent many golf dinners with both he and Linda. They allowed us to keep our newly acquired Corvette in their garage and put us up overnight when they just moved to their present home. We will treasure the happy times we spent with them🥰
Joe and Lynne Lombardo
May 05, 2025
We were so saddened to hear about Dave. They were our neighbors for 15 years and dear friends. Dave was not only brilliant but funny. We always enjoyed visiting with them.
Kathy and Bill Gailey
May 05, 2025
Our hearts are heavy with sadness over Dave’s passing. Our prayers for Linda and all of Dave’s living relatives and dear friends. 🙏🏻
Randy and Nancy Marks
May 05, 2025
I am so glad I knew this family through my daugher’s friendship with Ana. They were a welcoming family and stayed in touch for years with Beth Fiencks. How modest Dave was about his many academic achievements.
Jane Comings
May 05, 2025
Dave was one of the best friends I’ve ever had. He helped me to raise my son and teach my son’s friends various sports. The boys loved Dave; they knew what a strong, honest, friendly and talented man he was. And he and Linda held many, many barbeques and dinners at their home for Sally and me and numerous friends and never complained once about anything. Dave and Linda’s generosity of spirit was amazing. May God bless and keep Dave until we meet again.
Joseph Coyle
May 03, 2025
George and I are so sorry to hear this. We send all of you our deepest condolences.
Mary Clark
- Services
- Saturday, May 10, 2025
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Moravian Manor
- 300 W Lemon St
- Lititz, PA 17543
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