Robert E. Sward
Robert E. Sward
Robert E. Sward
Sully, Iowa
July 29, 1936 – August 21, 2012
Robert (Bob) Earl Sward went to be with the Lord on August 21, 2012, at the age of 76.
Robert was born to Oscar and Mabel Granstrom Sward on July 29, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska where he graduated from high school. Bob earned his Bachelors and his Masters Degrees in Education from the University of Lincoln. He went on to earn his Specialist Degree from Drake University. Bob served his country in the Navy on two Far East tours aboard the Oriskany and the Wedderburn naval vessels. He continued in the Naval Reserves for 20 years.
Bob was united in marriage with Eloise Seagren on September 1, 1956. They were blessed with four children.
Bob served as the Elementary/Middle School Principal at the Lynnville-Sully Community School and retired in 1998 after 29 years with the district. He was an active member of the St. Andrews Lutheran Church. Bob served many years as a member of the Sully Lions Club and the Gideons. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and golfing on the senior golf league.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Alfred Sward.
Those left to honor his memory are Eloise, his wife of 56 years; his four children: Terry (Linda) Sward of Kansas City, Missouri, Julie Ritter (Stuart) Zurcher of Sully, Iowa, Lori (Tim) Zylstra of Sully, Iowa, and Rick (Jackie) Sward of Monument, Colorado; seventeen grandchildren: Josiah (Alexandria) Sward, Alyssa Sward, Kristen (Justin) Burmeister, Robert (Kayla) Ritter, Anne Ritter, Lindsey Ritter, Lucas (Catie) Zurcher, April (D.J.) Miles, Amber Zurcher, Anna Zurcher, Ben (Jennifer) Zylstra, Bethany (Chase) Tanke, Bart (Kasey) Zylstra, Amanda Sward, Lucas Sward, Spencer Wenck, and Tate Wenck; and seven great-grandchildren.
To save another life, Bob has donated his body to medical research.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE: 10:30 A.M., Saturday, August 25, 2012 Sully Community Church Sully, Iowa
VISITATION: Noon-2:00 P.M., Saturday, August 25, 2012 Sully Community Church Sully, Iowa
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to: Gideons International St. Andrews Lutheran Church
