In Memory Of
R.G. "Swede" Swenson
1927
2022
R.G. "Swede" Swenson
December 24, 1927 — January 16, 2022
R. G. "Swede" Swenson age 94 died January 16, 2022, at St. Francis Hospital after a short illness. He was born December 24, 1927, on the family farm in Republic County, Kansas, the son of Ross Greeley Swenson and Mabel Walker Swenson.
Swede graduated from Belleville High School in Belleville, Kansas, in 1945. He enlisted in the United State Marine Corps in 1946 and served on the first crew of the USS Valley Forge as a Captain's Orderly and was honorably discharged after 21 months of service in 1947. He attained a Bachelor of Science from Emporia State Teachers College in 1951 and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Kansas University in 1976.
Swede taught and coached mostly at the Junior High level in Kansas Schools from 1951 to 1956. He was a Professional Service Representative for Lederle Laboratories from 1956 to 1961 and Merck Sharp Dohme from 1961 to 1966. He was Assistant Director of the Kansas Medical Society until 1972. Swede was an Auditor with the Kansas Securities Commissioner's Office from 1973-1996 when he retired. He received an Outstanding Service Award from the North American Securities Administrators Association in 1996 for his years of service in the Kansas office.
Swede married Marjorie Thompson in 1949 and they had 3 children. They divorced in 1971. He married Virginia Henney Fox in 1973. Virginia passed away January 16, 2011. His parents, two brothers and a step-grandson preceded him in death. He is survived by his 3 children, Deborah Davis (Steven) of Topeka, Michael Swenson (Charneil) of Leawood, Kansas, and Scott Swenson of Washington D.C.; two step-children, Charlotte Galton (Kit) of Surfside Beach, SC, and Robert Fox (Susan) of Denver, CO; four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, one step-great-grandchild and a Special Friend, Paz Riley.
Swenson was a huge fan of the Kansas Jayhawks sports teams and was an active member of the Topeka Jayhawk Club. He was an avid golfer, especially in his later years. Swenson loved family gatherings and his grandchildren remember fondly their afternoons at Grandpa's pool. He and his beloved Virginia became interested in sailing in the 1970's and were members of the Lake Shawnee Yacht Club for many years.
He was a member of First Congregational Church, having served on many boards, worked in the yard and gardens for many years. He served on the USD 501 Board of Education for 8 years, 2 of them as President. He ran for Topeka Mayor in 1973 and was active in many Democratic Campaigns thru the years. He was a member of the North American Securities Administrators Association, Anthem Lodge #284 in Scott City, Scottish Rite Bodies and Arab Shrine of Topeka.
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Penwell-Gabel, private services will take place at a later date.
Contributions in lieu of Flowers may be made to Doorstep(https://www.doorsteptopeka.org/donate/) or the donor's choice of Non-Profit Organizations.
To view the service live please click the following link.
One Room Streaming Link
Swede graduated from Belleville High School in Belleville, Kansas, in 1945. He enlisted in the United State Marine Corps in 1946 and served on the first crew of the USS Valley Forge as a Captain's Orderly and was honorably discharged after 21 months of service in 1947. He attained a Bachelor of Science from Emporia State Teachers College in 1951 and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Kansas University in 1976.
Swede taught and coached mostly at the Junior High level in Kansas Schools from 1951 to 1956. He was a Professional Service Representative for Lederle Laboratories from 1956 to 1961 and Merck Sharp Dohme from 1961 to 1966. He was Assistant Director of the Kansas Medical Society until 1972. Swede was an Auditor with the Kansas Securities Commissioner's Office from 1973-1996 when he retired. He received an Outstanding Service Award from the North American Securities Administrators Association in 1996 for his years of service in the Kansas office.
Swede married Marjorie Thompson in 1949 and they had 3 children. They divorced in 1971. He married Virginia Henney Fox in 1973. Virginia passed away January 16, 2011. His parents, two brothers and a step-grandson preceded him in death. He is survived by his 3 children, Deborah Davis (Steven) of Topeka, Michael Swenson (Charneil) of Leawood, Kansas, and Scott Swenson of Washington D.C.; two step-children, Charlotte Galton (Kit) of Surfside Beach, SC, and Robert Fox (Susan) of Denver, CO; four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, one step-great-grandchild and a Special Friend, Paz Riley.
Swenson was a huge fan of the Kansas Jayhawks sports teams and was an active member of the Topeka Jayhawk Club. He was an avid golfer, especially in his later years. Swenson loved family gatherings and his grandchildren remember fondly their afternoons at Grandpa's pool. He and his beloved Virginia became interested in sailing in the 1970's and were members of the Lake Shawnee Yacht Club for many years.
He was a member of First Congregational Church, having served on many boards, worked in the yard and gardens for many years. He served on the USD 501 Board of Education for 8 years, 2 of them as President. He ran for Topeka Mayor in 1973 and was active in many Democratic Campaigns thru the years. He was a member of the North American Securities Administrators Association, Anthem Lodge #284 in Scott City, Scottish Rite Bodies and Arab Shrine of Topeka.
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Penwell-Gabel, private services will take place at a later date.
Contributions in lieu of Flowers may be made to Doorstep(https://www.doorsteptopeka.org/donate/) or the donor's choice of Non-Profit Organizations.
To view the service live please click the following link.
One Room Streaming Link
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of R.G. "Swede" Swenson, please visit our flower store.
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