June 18, 1945 - Oct. 17, 2006
WILLMAR -- Robert Thomas Swanson, 61, of Oak Harbor, Wash., formerly of Willmar, died Oct. 17 in Everett, Wash., following surgery.
The service was held in Oak Harbor on Oct. 23. A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Lutheran Church of the Reformation in St. Louis Park.
He was born June 18, 1945, in Willmar to Eugene and Leone (Peterson) Swanson. He grew up in Spicer and Willmar and graduated from Willmar Senior High School in 1963. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1963 and served in Okinawa, Japan, the Philippines, Egypt, and several cities in the United States during his 30-year career.
He married Mitsuko Toyama on March 14, 1972, in Naha, Okinawa. He retired in 1993 with the rank of master chief petty officer. He earned a bachelor's degree in business during his navy career. After he retired, he worked as a contract officer at the hospital at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
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He is survived by his wife; sons: Paul (and Heidi) of Sedro Woolley, Wash., Kenneth of Tempe, Ariz.; one grandson; and three siblings: Edward (and Carsten Slostad) of St. Paul, David (and Vivian) of Willmar, and Mary (and Bob) Rolfes of Mankato.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
