SOUTH HUTCHINSON - Robert M. "Bob" "Swanee" Swanson, 78, died April 9, 2009, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.

He was born Sept. 11, 1930, in Providence, R.I., the son of Clarence A. Swanson Sr. and Edna M. Dodd Swanson. He attended Cranston High School, Cranston R.I., and signed with the Pittsburg Pirates the April before his graduation. This brought him to the Hutchinson area as part of the Hutchinson Elks, the farm club of the Pittsberg Pirates. He was a Korean War veteran serving with the Army. He retired from the Gas Service Company.

Bob was a member of the South Hutchinson United Methodist Church, a lifetime member of the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post #68, Pretty Prairie Saddle Club and the Reno County Sheriff's Senior Volunteer Program.

He was married to Lila Fuhlhage and she died in 1978. He then married Vicky S. Holmstrom on Nov. 10, 1978, in Partridge. She survives.

Other survivors include: two daughters, Amy E. Waggoner and husband George, Hutchinson, and Karla Reed and husband Timothy, Berryton; a son, Ryan Swanson, Hutchinson; a brother, Ronald Swanson, Cranston, R.I.; six grandchildren, Carl Waggoner, Casey Ruzicka and husband Dave, George Calyn Robert Waggoner, Isabel and Colin Reed and Chase Swanson; two great-grandchildren, Ashton and Samora Waggoner; three nephews, Carl Swanson and David Swanson, Cranston, R.I., and Steven Swanson, Chicopee, Mass.; and two nieces, Lynn Chenel, Cranston, R.I., and Sandra Boyko, Weare, N.H.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Clarence A. Swanson Jr.; a niece, Ellen Swanson; and a nephew, Craig Swanson.

Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2009, at South Hutchinson United Methodist Church, with Pastors Tim Ault-Duell and Matt Stafford presiding. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at the church, 206 E. Ave. E, South Hutchinson. Memorials may be sent to Hospice of Reno County, Dillon Nature Center or the church. Please visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a personal message for the family.