ROBERT SWAN
MITCHELL HEIGHTS, W.Va. — Robert I. Swan was born December 8, 1923, in St. Ignatius, Mont. At the age of 7, his family moved to Shinnston where he was raised.
Preceding him in death were his parent; three brothers and one sister.
On his 18th birthday, Dec. 8, 1941, the War was declared against Japan and he joined the 15th Army Air Corps Cadet Program. Upon graduation as a bombardier, he received his Lieutenant commission and his wings. He trained as a crew member on a B24 in California and was assigned to oversea duty in Italy in January 1944. He flew 50 missions as a bombardier in a B17. He was awarded the air medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart for wounds, the European Theatre Ribbon with eight Battle Stars, a Presidential Unit Citation, and member of the Caterpillar Club for emergency bailing out of an airplane. After returning from overseas in 1944, he joined the cadets again for pilot training. He returned home and entered WVU in the pre dental for two years, then transferred to the University of Maryland Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. He then joined the US Air Force his senior year and served three more years as a dentist in the Air Force. He came to Logan in 1953 and practiced dentistry for 35 years, retiring December 1988. He was a dedicated husband, loving father and remarkable grandfather and great-grandfather
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Joan; five children, Marina, Patricia, Rebecca, Robert Jr. (Terri) and Brenda (James); 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and one surviving sister, Betty Westfall.
In honoring his wishes, his request was there will be no public service and a private service for his family.
Evans Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Chapmanville is serving Dr. Swan’s family.
Post a Comment
