Robert L. Swaim

Robert L. Swaim, 87, died February 28, 2016 at Presbyterian Manor of the Plains, Dodge City. He was born on September 18, 1928 at Hooker, Oklahoma, the son of Harold Lee and Cynthia Nelda (Alloway) Swaim.

Bob grew up at Hooker, Oklahoma, and attended schools there through ninth grade. He moved with his family to Dodge City in 1943, and graduated from Dodge City Senior High School in 1946. He served in the United States Navy from August of 1946 until he was discharged in August of 1948 as an Electronic Technicians Mate 3rd class. On December 27, 1951, he married Melba Elizabeth Mather at Stafford, Kansas. Melba died July 13, 1998. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business. He was a member and past Grand Master of Gamma Omicron Chapter of Kappa Sigma Social Fraternity, and a member of Psi Chapter, Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, both of the University of Kansas. He was employed as a staff accountant for Arthur Young & Co., Public Accountants in Kansas City, Missouri from 1952 to 1955. He was President of the Class of 1956 of San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. He returned to Dodge City in 1956 and joined his father as an owner of the Swaim Funeral Home in Dodge City. He retired in 2000. He married Natalia M. Champlin (Johnson) at the First Presbyterian Church in Dodge City on July 22, 2001. 

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Dodge City. He served as President of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association from 1987-1988, was Past President of Dodge City Boot Hill Jaycees & recipient of Jaycees Distinguished Service Award. He was Past President of Dodge City Chamber of Commerce, a former member of Dodge City Recreation Commission, a former member of Boot Hill Museum, Inc., Dodge City, Past President of Trinity Association of Southwest Kansas, Dodge City, a former Board Member of Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas, Dodge City, a member of the Advisory Board of Presbyterian Manor of the Plains, and an active member of Positive Connection Men’s Club.

Survivors include his wife, Natalia Swaim, Dodge City, two daughters, Jill Crutchfield and husband Charles, Overland Park, Kansas; Sarah Redford and husband Tom, Leawood, Kansas; sister, Kay Wicks and husband Ray, Longmont, Colorado; four grandchildren, Garrett and Spencer Schwede, Hannah and Nic Redford, two step-daughters, Cyd and husband Christopher Stein, Hoxie, Kansas; Rhonda Rossi and husband Marc, Flanders, New Jersey; a stepson, Dirk Champlin, St. Joseph, Missouri; ten step-grandchildren Quinlan and Taylor Stein, Christopher and Caitlin Rossi, Chasity Thornbrugh and husband Jason, Dustin Champlin, Heather Kaufman and husband Spencer, Eric Champlin and wife Alison, and Andy and Mark Crutchfield.

In addition to his parents, his wife and college sweetheart Melba (Mather), Mr. Swaim was preceded in death by his son Jeffrey Swaim who died in 2006, a brother Rodney Swaim, and stepson, Brad Champlin.

Funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Dodge City, on Friday, March 4, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. Jerre Nolte presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Thursday, March 3, 2016 from 12:00 PM til 8:00 PM with family receiving friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Macular Degeneration Foundation, the Dodge City Public Library, or Presbyterian Church Friendship Feast. in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com