
Polly, Robb and to all of our number who grieve the passing of our mentor and friend, let's all be comforted by remembering it was Bob who brought us together, made us believe that we could do art and make theatre in a rusty old quansote hut on Chichister in 1968, in San Antonio, Texas.  And we did.  It was Bob who made us reach and try and work harder than we ever believed possible and then the audiences came and stood and applauded our efforts.  And we all grew.  He took a chances on all of us and we loved him for it.  And I still do.  Tough, irrascible and difficult, talented, profound - he was all these things.  He changed the direction of my life and I will be forever grateful to you Bob Swain for what you did for me.  And the world is a little less colorful without you in it.  Love always, Linda



Thank you, Bob, for your service to our country.



Dear Polly, 

Please know that even though circumstances kept me from being at the service today, you have been in my prayers. After reading about Bob, I certainly wish I'd known him -- he was surely a very special person. 

May God bless and keep you always, 
Judy




Dear Swain Family:

Please accept my deepest sympathies on the loss of your beloved. There are never any right words to express how deeply sad I am for the pain your family is enduring at this difficult time. 

Although I did not have the honor and pleasure of knowing him, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, I am sincerely thankful for his valiant service in defense of our rights and freedom.

His commitment to family, friends, our community, and to serving our great nation leaves a wonderful legacy. May the love and the wonderful memories you shared with him help you when you need it most. He will never be forgotten, and your family will be remembered in my prayers. 





Dear Bob,

Thank you for being who you are and always will be for me:
a most outstanding professor at Trinity University who opened my eyes to so many possibilities in theater, and a friend who. with Deje, opened my life in numerous, heartfelt ways. The times shared with each member of the Swain family through the years (since 1966 to present) are treasures which will last forever in my heart. And just one more thing: Bob, your superb, resonant, powerful speaking voice will always be a favorite echo, even though I was both astounded and frigntened by it. Here's a hug for you, and one for you to give Debbie, too. 

With deepest respect and sympathy to Polly, Deje, Robb and Lorrie and Sons.

Sharron (Naumann) Popovich




This will appear in my Austin Chronicle column on Thursday

MEMORIAM My friend Bob Swain is dead. One day shy of his 82nd birthday. Bob and his ex-wife were good friends of my parents, Willard and Phyllis Moser, in San Antonio in the late 1960s. They traveled in the same party circuits as my parents, and Bob and my father were both on the faculty at Trinity University. Among other things that he was a trailblazer in, he founded First Repertory Theatre where my sister and I spent our summers. Bob was always a kind and intriguing figure to us, and I have a photo of Bob and his ex at my parent's "Hippie Party" in 1968. Shortly thereafter when my family life was splintered into a million pieces by abandonment, divorce and suicide, Bob re-entered my life in Austin where I'd gone to school and he was teaching theatre at Austin Community College, as well as being Artistic Director at Zach Scott. I'd originally gone to ACC so I could continue collecting survivor's benefits from Social Security... but I stayed because of Bob. I remember going down to the old Auditiorium to register for classes (this was 1975) and there behind one of the registration tables was Bob Swain. Like a benevolent ghost from my past, I was both shocked and pleased to see him. He welcomed me warmly and when it turned out that I was signing up for his theatre classes, we were both pleased. It was a lean time for me, both emotionally and financially and I was happy to lose myself in the world of theatre - and Bob was happy to have an acolyte that worshipped him and was always available at the drop of a hat. I had nothing better to do, but Bob did... and he always took the time to take me out to lunch, counsel me, and help guide me through those troubling years. At Zach Scott, where all the ACC theatre classes were taught, I was in heaven and had found a new home. Working for Bob, I did lights, sets, props, sound, etc., until I was assigned to the costume shop for the "Pirates of Penzance." It was there I fell in love - with a sewing machine. The fabulous designer Libby Winters (who had lived in that big castle on Wooldridge), took me under her wing and began to show me the ins and outs of costume design. I was enthralled and a devoted fan of Libby's and the techniques she was teaching me. The next show, "The Devil's Disciple" was another chance to learn costuming under Bob's former student Noel Noblitt, who had also been at Trinity. After that, Bob directed "After the Fall" and allowed *me* to design the show myself. I was 17. From the fishtail gowns to the cocktail dresses to the 1950's suits, I never looked back. Sewing, design and fashion became my life and remains so even now, after a fashion. I'd seen him again a handful of times over the years - most recently about 5 years ago when my sister and I went out to dinner with him. Just as irascible and wicked as ever, his eyes crackled brightly even though he was not the same robust figure he'd once been. But in *my* eyes, he was a mentor, teacher and father figure. So in many ways, I can thank Bob Swain and his patient tolerance of me for a 35 year career in clothing design. *And* for helping a scared and lonely teenaged boy find beauty and passion in life. What a gift. My deepest sympathies to Bob's family and all who loved him.






To Robb and family: Although I haven't seen you in a few years I am deeply saddened to have read about your dad.... my heart goes out to you and your entire family. Peace be with you all. Sincerely, Jeff and Glenda Doyle





Thank you, Bob, for casting me against type, believing in me and making me believe in myself, the mark of a great director. Thank you for LuAnn and all of the other theatre experiences you provided for performers and audiences alike. Your contributions to a thriving theatre scene in Austin will always be fondly remembered. I offer my condolences to your family and wish you peace.




Bob and I were colleagues for several years at Zach Scott. I so enjoyed his passion for theatre, his irreverent humor and his intelligence. He made a fine contribution to Austin theatre, and his productions were always well-crafted. Thanks for your dedication, Bob.





It's been over 30 years since the last meeting of the knights of the white magnolia, over which you presided, but it seems like yesterday. From "Marat/Sade" through the late '70's, working with you at Zach Scott was always an adventure and a pleasure. Thanks for the friendship, the direction, the collaboration, and especially for all the laughs.




Polly, every time we've gone to Las Palomas over the years since y'all left Austin, we've thought we might run into you and Bob on a visit. Please know that on our next visit, well make that visits, we'll be making a toast to y'all. He had a good run, didn't he? My thoughts are with you.




All angels sing thee to thy directorial rest, great Bob Swain. How much I smile and cry with the Swain family, however distant San Antonio and First Rep seem. But the man was a great man and I'll send an old photo along. Love & peace--




Though I haven't bumped into you in many a year, I have always thought of you as a good friend. I am saddened now at news of your passing. Your legacy lives. 
My deepest sympathy, Polly.




I worked at the Howson Library for 15 years in Austin. Bob and Polly would come in at least once or twice a week. Bob would always make me laugh. I will always remember his friendly smile each time he came in the library. 
Sincerely, Julie Moore



OBITUARY

Julian Robert (Bob) Swain

July 8, 1928 – July 7, 2010

Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Past Services

Memorial Service