Bob Ray Swem

Bob Swem was born on Sunday Morning, October 3, 1937, in Waldron Kansas, a small town in Southern Kansas. He lived there with his Mother, Loretta Mae Swem and Father, Ralph W. Swem, Brother, Ralph Jr., Sisters, Jo Neva and Lorna Dee. They lived there until 1941 when they all moved to Wichita, Kansas. He was educated in the Wichita school system, later attended Wichita State University and graduated after attending nights for several years.

Bob Swem was lucky enough to meet Shirley Miers early in life. They were married in Wichita, Kansas on May 25, 1957. They enjoyed a glorious marriage of 64 years and had two sons, Michael Ray Swem and Christopher Lee Swem (Terry). In addition to his wife and two sons, Bob is also survived by six grandchildren: Chasity Kuffler, Lindsey Covington, Mikael Swem, Amy Mehlenbacher, Alissa Swem and Eric Swem and 10 great grandchildren: Braxston Kuffler, Addison Kuffler, Aiden Bell, Iris Swem, Madelyn Mehlenbacher, Hazel Swem, Layla Swem, Owen Mehlenbacher, Wyatt Mehlenbacher and Aoife Covington. Of all the things that Bob contributed to in his life, he was most proud of his family.

Bob worked at several great companies. His first job was cutting wheat for his uncle Ruell who was very patient and taught him everything about farming; enough to know that he didn’t want to do it anymore. The 2nd job he had was at American Tile Company, where he helped work his way through college until he was married. He later worked at Boeing for 10 years, and then went to work for Standard Precision which later became NCR. He moved to Austin Texas in 1978 to start a plant for Data General. He then moved to Tandem Computers and eventually finished his career at Vtel Corporation.

Bob was a car guy and a fisherman. He spent countless days and years working to restore the 1967 Olds 442 that his son's had in high school. He loved to fish, especially at the headwaters of the Rio Grande near Creede Colorado, countless lakes and rivers in Kansas, the Laguna Madre at South Padre, and at Lake Buchanan.

Bob would like to thank the Doctors and Nurses at St. David’s Healthcare and North Austin Medical Center who helped him through the last period of his life and a special thanks to Dr. Nambiar of UT Healthcare in San Antonio who, through his skills, aided in the addition of two years to Bob’s life.

“I’ve had a great life, a great family and enjoyed life very much.” -Bob

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to House of Friends at Bethany United Methodist Church.