Rick L. Swalwell

Rick was born on November 20, 1952 in Des Moines. He enjoyed an idyllic childhood growing up with four younger siblings, visiting his grandparents’ farm near Maxwell, and playing baseball with friends. His love for the outdoors was cemented while earning his Eagle Scout rank with trips to the Boundary Waters and Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. An avid outdoorsman and athlete, he enjoyed annual wilderness experiences backpacking in deserts and canyons, canoeing, and kayaking. He counted himself among the fortunate few who rafted the length of the Grand Canyon’s Colorado River. He commuted to work for years on his bike, rode with his nephews to the top of the highest paved road in the United States, and was a RAGBRAI veteran. He took pride in completing several marathons, triathlons, 5 and 10k races, and the 10k Kortelopet and 30k Berkebeiner cross-country ski races. Captain Rick took up sailing in 1982, building his skills at Rathbun Lake, restoring a teak boat, ice sailing in the winter, crewing for races on Lake Michigan and Capetown’s Table Bay, and enjoying several bareboat charters from Lake Dillon to the Caribbean. An intrepid traveler, Rick journeyed to 30 countries, setting foot on every continent except Antarctica.

His strong belief was that everyone, especially young people, should take advantage of any opportunity to experience the world. Not only can it be an eye-opening and soul-expanding experience, it can make us truly appreciate home.

Rick was a hard worker with a varied career that included delivering newspapers, bagging groceries, meat packing, and cleaning kennels at a poodle salon. Eventually, he landed in local news, a job leveraging his natural charm, legendary anchorman hair, and gift for storytelling. He may be the only person who worked at all four local TV stations. Most of his years in television were spent at KCCI-TV, where he was a national award-winning journalist and one of the few Americans to report from the USSR. After earning a Masters degree, Rick left television for another successful career in marketing and communications. In retirement, he loved landscaping and building decks, fences, and next-level treehouses using skills developed as an apprentice to his carpenter dad on projects like constructing their family house in Clive in the early 1960s.

Rick was the life of any party, from his and his wife’s much-anticipated Christmas gathering to Papa Rico jam sessions and family dinners with his grandchildren. Hosting 20+ house concerts with touring musicians helped him expand his guitar and Celtic drum talents and inspired him to start the Salty Dogs, a sea chanty duo. He was thrilled to check his bucket list after booking a paying gig as a musician.

In addition to these rich interests, Rick valued service and was active in the community. As an elected member of the WDM Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for sixteen years, he helped develop significant projects including bike trails, the Raccoon River Park boathouse, and the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater.

Without a doubt, however, Rick’s undeniable first priority was his family. His happy union to college sweetheart Theresa lasted 30 years until her death, with another nearly 15 years of loving marriage to Karen. Theresa and Rick adored their daughters, and Karen and Rick delighted in their grandkids. Rick tended selflessly to elderly relatives and launched cherished family traditions like an annual reunion for Theresa’s nieces and nephews. Rick believed he could rest easy knowing the world is a better place because of the family legacy he left behind, and he was not wrong.

Rick had no tolerance for bull****, big egos, or touching his feet. He was a sucker for babies, a cribbage or kubb match, cringey dad jokes, and ridiculous costumes. He was impossibly handsome without caring about appearances. He was curious, generous, loving, fearless—and a bit stubborn, if we’re honest.

Needless to say, Rick made the most of his almost 70 years on Earth and will be sorely missed. Those he leaves behind are forever changed and blessed for having known him. He is survived by his mother, Cheryll Swalwell-Hughes; his wife, Karen; his daughters, Katy (Heath Henderson) and Abbey (Eric Henderson); his grandchildren, Beau, Thea, Jacob, and Anabel; and his siblings, Ron (Ann), Randy (David Waggoner), Linda (Jose Garcia), and Kim (Terri Davisson). He was preceded in death by his father, Everett, and first wife, Theresa.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to a project he championed for years: the Athene Bridge linking Browns Woods to Raccoon River Park [https://greatoutdoorsfoundation.org/raccoon-river-pedestrian-bridge/]. Please note that your donation is in memory of Rick. Taking up a new hobby, letting go of a grudge, or supporting local live music are also appropriate and much appreciated ways of honoring Rick.

A celebration of his life is planned for November 10, 2022 at Des Moines Heritage Center, 120 E. 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309.