Robert Arthur Swanson
January 11, 1935 ~ April 26, 2020
Resided in:
South Pasadena, FL
St. Petersburg, FL -Robert (Bob) Arthur Swanson, 85, of St. Petersburg, FL, went to be with his Lord on April 26, 2020. He was born in Portland, Maine, on January 11, 1935, to Harold and Helen Swanson.
Bob graduated from South Portland HS in 1953 and Bob Jones University in 1958. He earned his Master's in Education from Michigan State Teaching College. Bob married the love of his life Sandra Nash, August 1958 and moved to St. Petersburg in 1962. He taught math at Boca Ciega High School for 30 years, retiring in 1988. He often told people he became a teacher for three reasons: June, July, and August because he spent those summer months at his beloved camp at Sebago Lake, ME., where he had many lifelong friends.
Bob was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, and is survived by his brother, Richard (Claudia); sister-in-law, Sue (Joel) Torode; sons Mark (Yvonne), David; and daughters, Carol (Robert) Harvat and Kathy (Mario) Rodriquez and grandchildren; Ashley and Ginny Swanson, Blake and Brooke Swanson, Nicolas, Nathan, Noah, and Nina Rodriquez.
He will be buried alongside his wife at Forrest City Cemetery in Portland, ME, on June 12, 2020 at 10 a.m.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. To view Bob's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
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Sebago Lake visits are a big part of my childhood memories. And when the Swansons would visit Minto. Bob always had a smile for everyone Sincerely, Sharla (Miller)
– Sharla
Kathy, Carol, David & Paul, we send our sincere condolences to you and your families on the passing of your father. Peter & Mary Miller
– mary miller
My dad left us a love for Maine. Every summer when we’d go up to our camp on Sebago Lake he also made sure we visited Portland Headlight, OOB, Mt Douglas, Richard’s Dairy Delight ( a few times) and Fryes Leap. He loved being on the water taking us kids skiing or tubing or just for a boat ride. He had many friends in Maine as my siblings and I do to this day. You will be missed by many. I will continue to live that legacy with my own children.
– Kathleen Rodriquez
thank you Sharla. Yes, all the summers together in Minto and Sebago are wonderful memories. My dad always looked forward to seeing family in Canada
– Kathleen Rodriquez
Those are some great memories. He did love our dog Dixie. Thanks for sharing Steve. We are thankful he is reunited with our mom, Sandy. He always called her the “love of his life.”
– Kathleen Rodriquez
I have fond memories of time spent at the lake in Maine with all of the cousins and Aunt Sandy and Uncle Bob. Uncle Bob had a distinct laugh and an infectious sense of humor. The family had a dog named Dixie and I remember how he used to call to Dixie in their home. Dixie! Dixie! I can hear him saying it now. I miss the times spent with the Swansons at their home in St. Petersburg and will cherish those memories for the remainder of my life. Always sad to lose a family member but I’m glad Uncle Bob is with Aunt Cindy again. My prayers and thoughts will continue for my cousins and their families through this time of their loss. May God bless you and keep you all. Stephen Torode
– Stephen Torode
All great photos of dad!!
– Kathleen Rodriquez