It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard Allyn Swanson of Galesburg, Illinois on Sunday, October 6, 2024, having lived 91 fruitful years here on earth. Richard was the son of Ernest and Mabel Swanson, who, along with his brother Donald, preceded him in death. Richard is survived by his loving wife of forty years, Constance Anne Swanson, and his sister Phyllis Sherwood.
Richard was honored to be the father of Robert Hueckstedt, Kurt Swanson, Kelly Wells, Kyle Swanson, Corinne Nelson, Mary Jo Defenbaugh, and Betsy Woolley. Dick was the proud grandfather of eleven grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.
Dick, as his many friends knew him, served in the Regular Army for the Counterintelligence Corps and then in the U.S. Army Reserves Engineer Battalion for a span of nine years. During this time, Dick studied residential, commercial and industrial lighting at the General Electric Lighting School. He also studied Electrical Engineering with the International Correspondence School and Business Administration through Brown’s Business College.
Dick was blessed to join Illinois Power and serve his community faithfully for over forty-two years. He was honored to be a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning Engineers, Galesburg Board of Zoning Appeals, Illuminating Engineering Society and Lions Club International.
Dick and Connie greatly enjoy hiking and driving through mountains – any mountains! His greatest joy, aside from the overwhelming love of golf and his most precious Cardinals baseball team, was being a part of Bethel Baptist Church and fellowshipping with the dear people there. Dick treasured the sermons, Bible studies, music and the most famous Forty Year Long Birthday Club.
Dick’s life verse: Isaiah 25:1 “Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.”
Richard Allyn Swanson, well played. 1933 through eternity.
The family will honor Dick’s life privately with a Memorial Service and Military Honors at Bethel Baptist Church in November. His remains will be laid to rest in Linwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Baptist Church. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family. Online condolences and memories may be left on the funeral home’s website at www.h-p-w.com.
