Past District Director 39 Alan Swanson Memorial

Alan Harold Swanson

February 1939 – July 2023

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Alan Harold Swanson passed away in San Diego, California, on July 14 at age 84, but not before living a life of which he was deservedly proud. Born in Greeley Colorado, Alan grew up on a farm and learned a strong work ethic from his mom and dad, getting up early from age six to tend to the farm and animals. He often recalled attending church with the tight knit Swedish community in Greeley, where his dad, who was highly respected in the local farming community, would share his wisdom with the locals after Sunday services. Alan was very active in 4-H as a youngster.

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An observant young man, Alan learned the value of paying close attention to detail from his dad, never cutting corners on things that mattered to him, his friends or his family. By the age of 16, Alan earned his private pilot’s license and then purchased a small plane with his earnings from the farm. He later attended Colorado State University, where he earned a degree in Agronomy. After college Alan met his first wife, Cathy (now deceased), with whom he started their family with daughter Lisa and son Charlie.

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Alan proudly served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army, stationed in Greenland in charge of a key transportation unit, even earning kudos in the Army Times for his innovative solutions to transportation challenges. In addition to flying for enjoyment, Alan crisscrossed California, Nevada, and Washington as he covered a large territory as a district insurance manager after his Army service. He also taught insurance underwriting classes professionally, owned a small insurance agency, and loved teaching and mentoring.

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When living in Davis, Alan met his love and second wife, Janine, with whom he enjoyed 45 years of marriage. Alan became stepfather, and an inspirational part of the lives of her two kids Jeff and Traci. In his free time, Alan enjoyed singing bass in the local barbershop quartet and developed a passion for model trains. The train theme grew to become quite a conversation starter with anyone raising a question, and he eventually set up an exhibit taking up most of his garage and filling a trailer with portable modules with intricate scenes depicting his family farm and life in Greeley. Alan also volunteered over 14,000 hours as a docent at the Sacramento train museum.

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Alan and Janine would often bring together friends and neighbors with their annual chili party, which became an event for all to look forward to. Alan loved traveling, both driving and flying, having driven throughout South America on a budget with his young family in the early days, and visiting spots such as the British Isles, Spain, Poland, China, and Russia, later in life with Janine. Alan was always up for a spontaneous adventure while traveling and loved a good detour.

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Alan’s favorite time of year was Christmas, where he put his natural Santa Claus beard to good use as he loved wearing a red Santa hat for most of December and waving at surprised youngsters who noticed him at stoplights. Surprising people with doses of happiness was one of Alan’s special talents. With increasing health challenges, Alan and Janine moved from Roseville to San Diego in 2021, to be closer to Traci.

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Alan is survived by his loving wife Janine, sisters Nancy and Joyce, Charlie, Lisa, Jeff, and Traci, as well as 7 grandkids who loved “Santa Alan”. Alan’s was a life well lived, and he will be deeply missed.

Below are Alan’s D39 history page with fotos that Marcia created.  He was a long time member of Sunrise Center.