Robert “Bob” E. Swanson was born Oct. 8, 1922, in Gilcrest, Colorado, to Elmer Swanson and Martha Henney Swanson as the oldest of four children. He graduated in 1941 in Lyman, Nebraska. After service in the Army Air Force during WWII, he had a long career at Boeing as a mechanical/maintenance engineer.
On June 8, 1952, Robert married Wanda Johnson of Vancouver, Washington, and the couple raised two daughters together, settling in Kent, Washington, until 2005 when they moved to Chehalis, Washington. Bob had been a member of the Elks since 1950. He enjoyed motorhome travel, and participated in the Kent VFW, American Legion and Masonic Hall.
On June 23, 2021, Robert passed away peacefully. He is survived by his wife Wanda Swanson; two daughters Patricia (Michael) Bostick of Renton and Janis (Mark) Stevens of Chehalis; his sister Joyce Catt of Vancouver; five grandchildren Erin (Kevin) Stevens Michael, Ryan (Hailey) Stevens, Matthew (Danielle) Stevens, Julianna (Bill) James, and Daniel Bostick; and nine great-grandchildren.
A service with Military Honors will take place for Robert at Tahoma National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, followed by a gathering at the Black Diamond Masonic Hall.
