Dean S. Swanson

Dean Samuel Swanson was born on October 31, 1931 in Julesburg, Colorado. He was an only child and grew up on a Nebraska farm with grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins, close by. Due to the Dust Bowl in 1938, the family moved to Hillsboro.

As a young boy, Dean was very active in the Boy Scouts and enjoyed playing the violin. At the age of 8, he was invited to play for the National Institute of Music and Art (NIOMA). He continued to play all the way through high school and as a senior, he played for the Pacific University orchestra. During his high school years, Dean lived next door to Janet, who would later become his wife. At one point, he babysat Janet and her brother John, and often helped Janet’s father doing odd jobs around the house. He also maintained the grounds on a golf course and worked many years for Safeway.

After graduation, he attended Pacific University and started taking science classes. However, the Korean War started, and he enlisted in the Navy in 1951. He was nominated for the Navy Air School in Florida and completed his aviation electronics education in Memphis. He finished his education in 1952, and in 1953 he was deployed to Whidby Island. He served as a member of the U.S. Naval Patrol Squadron FIFTY SEVEN. He was deployed to an air station in Japan where he did surveillance on 14 hour flights, dropping flares for nighttime fighting. In 1954, while stationed in Okinawa, Dean received word that his father was ill, as an only child, he was granted leave and given humanitarian shore duty in Tacoma, Washington until his expiration of enlistment and Honorable discharge in 1955.

Dean came home and married his first wife, Shirley in 1955. Together they had 2 sons, Mike and Mark. He worked a few odd jobs during this time while attending Pacific University. He graduated in 1958 and began his career as a science teacher in the Hillsboro School District. He also taught briefly in St. Helens and Beaverton.

In 1970, Dean married his second wife, Janet. Janet had 2 daughters, Ann and Jane. The family liked to spend summer vacations at the beach. Dean enjoyed model railroads, singing with the Tualatin Valley Harmony Masters, traveling, and celebrating his Swedish heritage at the Norse Hall every November eating Lutefisk.

Dean was preceded in death by his wife, Janet. He leaves behind his sons, Mike and Mark, and his daughters, Ann and Jane.