David “Made it happen” on the Viper. Quickly became a Team player. Laughed with him on his Healy renovation issues.

I met Mr. Swietlik sometime in my early grade school years since Jeff and I were classmates.  It wasn’t until Jeff and I became the best of friends in high school that I can remember a conversation I had with Mr. Swietlik.  I always thought extremely highly of him, first, because of his achievement on the Viper team and the car sitting in his garage.  Secondly, I noticed early on in mine and Jeff’s friendship that Jeff is going to do whatever he wanted to regardless of what anyone said and I think Mr. Swietlik accepted it and embraced Jeff’s individuality so I often got the quick “be careful “ talk before going out, as did Jeff from my mother at my house! You could see the love and patience he had for Jeff and his friends.  He would always check in on us while we hung out in the basement or first thing in the morning, not just Jeff but all of us!  He never seemed to judge any of us, ever.  At that age it’s easier to talk to your friend’s parents as an adult then to talk to your own so I enjoyed talking to Mr. Swietlik. He was one of the first adults that I felt comfortable talking with!  I will remember those talks and the unconditional love that was so clearly noticeable that you have for your family and friends of family!

I'm sorry for your loss. Herb Helbig would like to mention your dad in his column in Viper Quarterly magazine. Could you email me a higher res version of that headshot on the main screen? Thanks.
Maurice Liang
Editor
Viper Quarterly
mauricev10@gmail.com

I met and worked with  Dave early on the Viper program. He was not only the purchasing lead but become a great friend. Will always remember the west side Viper team meetings at the Goat Farm.      
It was a bit of a shock to hear of his passing. Prayers to the family in this time. 

Only just learned of your loss. I worked with Dave for many years and he was always a joy to interact with. Know that he touched many lives. 

I was among Dave's Michigan based friends.  Although a number of years have passed by, I have wonderful memories often revolving around a group of mutual friends friends from the Single Place group based in Northville.   I will hang onto Dave's playful nature and his mischievous wit.  Never a particularly skilled golfer, he nevertheless was often up for a little hacking around the course with his friends.  His life seemed to lack peace in recent years.  I hope he has found that now.    

I was a close friend to Dave in San diego and met him in 2011. He was the kind of friend that would always lend an ear when you needed someone to talk to and a hand to lift you up when you needed help. He was the most patient person and wanted things to be good. He was the best host and I loved hanging out with him. He talked my ear off about Viper and Mopar. Some days when it was warm and sunny in San Diego, I'd remind him about him not liking Michigan weather, and he'd say something I never quite understood. He groaned and said "I can wait ten minutes. " As much as he enjoyed the weather in San Diego, he missed the close relationships he had in Michigan more. It's hard to imagine him gone. I miss my best friend. My heart goes out to his two sons and family and friends. Rest in peace Dave. 

Dave was always deliberate and concise in his communication. Even when the conversation was headed in a direction not to my liking, I knew that I was about to learn something.  His sense of humor turned out to be a pleasant surprise! He knew how to get the job done.

Like everyone who has posted here, I was very sorry to hear of Dave's sudden and too early passing. We both worked in Purchasing at Ford and then at Chrysler. He broke all the hard ground early on the first Viper, making my job easy when I followed him on the team. Dave was known for his passion for cars--something that not everyone working in the car companies has. He was also known to fight hard for what he believed was right. If you wanted to change Dave's mind you had to be thoroughly prepared and know what you were talking about. He wasn't someone who changed direction just because someone with more stripes than him said so. My condolences on your loss, especially in this difficult year. 

Dave was one of a kind.  He helped me on the spur of the moment and he always had that terrific smile.  P&S Operations was a greater
place to work when he came in.
  

I want to express my sincere condolences to Dave's family. He was taken away from his family and friends much too soon. At Chrysler, Dave did his job in purchasing without fanfare or histrionics. He was very effective in a very quiet, no nonsense and deliberate way; always obtaining the results he needed for the team. Everyone could always count on him.  In an industry where you really need everyone to do their job in order to actually produce an automobile, Dave was always dependable. He just got things done. The Viper, especially was not an easy product for which to procure parts. For every enthusiastic supplier that wanted its name attached to the car for image reasons, there were plenty others that were much more reluctant. "You want how many parts? You must mean 100,000 not 1,000."  To Dave's family, I have to say that everyone he worked with at Chrysler appreciated him, and his hard work and dedication. 

Met Dave on the Viper Team where Stalkamp had assigned him, cool professional, warm heart. The teams felt like family then, yesterday 31 years ago, a band of brother tackling any challenge with humor. Heart felt condoleance to the family.

I’m so sorry for your loss. May God give you strength with beautiful memories now n forever.  Memories will someday make you laugh n smile. May God Bless his beautiful family. 

The Viper Team needed purchasing initiative and David was the answer. His love of cars and willingness to reach outside the Corporate boundaries allowed the Team to achieve their objectives. Coming to grips with his Healy restoration helped him to understand the niche car issues. Corporate partner and personal friends, it was a HOOT! His wish for his family would be to care on, we’ll all carry his memory and humor. GOD BLESS. ROY & Peg SJOBERG (Fr.Viper).


I was a salesperson and called on Daves group. I represented a machine tool builder out of Australia. The Aussies liked Dave, he treated us with respect and such a down to earth guy with smart wit. Sorry to hear this sad news. 
My condolences to the boys and close friends . May god be with him. 

 

Had the great pleasure of working with, befriending Dave for many years at Chrysler! Wonderful, fun, hard working human being! Very sad, unfortunate his passing - far too young! Condolences to family and friends!

This is such  sad news.  I worked with Dave in the mid-90's.  At work, he liked to be difficult at times just to get a reaction out of you so, I was sure I tanked the interview with him.  I got the position and we became very good friends.  Miss you Dave. 

My sincerest condolences to Dave's Sons and family. 
I met Dave through Single Place Ministries at First Pres church in Northville.  I have many fond memories sharing activities inside and outside of Single Place with Dave and our group of friends. 
Dave had a warm, kind hearted spirit.  I and my older son will not forget when "Mr Swiets" offered my son, in high-school at the time, to take the Viper for a spin.  Dave was so relaxed and patient during that ride.
Thoughts and prayers for the family,  may you find comfort and peace in his memory.  RIP "Mr Swiets!"

I have known Dave when I came to Northville in 1986.
I got to know Dave more through Single Place Ministries.
Dave had a warm and caring heart.
He was proud of his boys and Dave would want both of them and their families to do well.
Dave loved his work at Chrysler and he was proud of the Viper which helped transformed Chrysler's image and moved Chrysler into the future.
Dave was very generous in opening his home and cottage to people from Single Place.
Dave had a Christian Faith but he also was searching and dealing with some personal challenges.
Dave we miss you and you will always be in our hearts and we know that you are in Gods hands and are at Peace.
Blessings and love!
Pastor Jim Russell


I was so sad to hear that Dave has passed away. I have some great memories of him, Dave kindly let my son Harry drive his beloved Viper to celebrate his High School graduation!! It was a great thrill for Harry. I also had a wonderful trip to Maui where we stayed in a fabulous hotel and saw sunrise over Haleakala and then to Kauai where we met his lovely cousin and her husband. 

My sincere condolences to Eric and Jeff and the rest of the family. 

Rest In Peace Dave. 

So very sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. Judy and my sympathies and prayers go to Dave’s entire family and loved ones. We meet Dave at First Presbyterian Church’s Single Place ministries. We have many memories of fun times at parties and events with Dave and other good friends.  Rest In Peace Dave. 

Dear Family and Friends of Dave,

My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. Please know of my prayers for you.

I met Dave at First Presbyterian Church in Northville. We became friends and enjoyed many holidays and birthdays at his house in Novi and cottage in the Irish Hills. I haven’t seen him in several years but remember fondly the gentle side of his soul. He was kind to me during a difficult time. I will light a candle for him this Christmastime and think about him with with a smile and a tear. 

God  Bless,
Ann Marie Connolly Lee  





Dave & I met at the First Presbyterian Church in Northville and became  good friends.   We shared the love of adventure and the game of golf.    We spent many weekends at his cottage on Devils Lake enjoying the relaxing atmosphere there.  He was a fun loving  and excellent business man.  I had a chance to visit him twice in San Diego.   I will never forget the wonderful times.  
Our deepest sympathy & prayers to his family & friends
I will miss him.

Bruce Bell
Nancy McDonald

Stunned by the sad news. Debbie and I send our deepest condolences and love. We had some great times and did some great work together.  Stay safe, be well and know that you are in our prayers. 

Eric, Jeff, other family and friends of Dave,

I am very sorry for your loss and send you my sincere condolences. I met Dave through the First Presbyterian Church in Northville about 20 years ago. With both of us having worked for Ford before he went to Chrysler and our love of cars it was easy to find plenty to talk about. I found him to not only be a good human and great guy but an astute businessman. I visited him about 10 years ago in San Diego for lunch and a walk along the ocean. He seemed very happy and loved living in a great climate.  Rest in peace, Mr. Viper!


I am sadden to hear the passing of Dave.  We worked together as co-workers at Chrysler for a many years. He was "Mr. Viper" throughout Procurement & Supply (P&S).  My first interface with Dave was when he managed the P&S company cars, if you needed a unique ride for the night, with his connections you saw Dave.  He will be missed, my thoughts and prayers go out the family.

I am really sorry to hear about the passing of Dave.
I worked for him at Mopar and really enjoyed him not only as a person but as a boss.
May he rest in peace.

Dave was my boss in the Interior Trim Group. It was a joy to work with him. He moved on to become "Mr. Viper" where he had to procure many parts with his personality rather than with money.  It was a fun time. 

I enjoyed working with Dave at Chrysler. He told it like it is, and that made things so much easier. Sending sympathy and prayers to his family. He was one of a kind. Kim Kolb

Worked with Dave for a number of years at Chrysler and DaimlerChrysler. Sorry to hear of his passing, prayers and sympathy to the family.

Dave worked at FCA with me for many years.  I always enjoyed running into Dave in the hall as he was kind to me and interested in what was going on.  He was known as "Mr Viper" for many years when that car was hot.  I can still seem him coming up the aisle with a bounce in his step and his hair flying up in the front.  I'm glad to have met Dave and known him for many years.  I'm sorry for the family's loss. 

I worked with Dave fir many years at Chrysler. Great guy. My deepest sympathies to the family

OBITUARY

David William Swietlik

October 26, 1952 – December 7, 2020

Goodbody Mortuary

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