Robert Swanson

My dad, Robert (Bob) Swanson, was a donor at the time of his death on May 9, 2017.

Everyone who met him would say he was an ordinary man. Everyone who knew him would say he was an extraordinary man!

Of course my sister and I can testify that he was an awesome dad with super-human skills of: listening, supporting, guiding and loving! My children can testify that he was an awesome ‘papa’ who used all of those skills with them as well!

He shined even brighter after retirement from his job of 37 years when he joined the American Legion and began to live the phrase of “sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance.”

Dad did so much to support and honor our military, past and present: serving as Commander of Post #1; founding the American Legion Riders of Nebraska; spearheading the enactment of the Nebraska Funeral Protest Law to limit protestors to a distance of more than 500 feet from military funerals; riding in parades and escorts of veterans returning home; standing flag lines at military funerals and supporting send-offs of troops to fight for our freedoms are just a few of his activities.

He led the effort to get a flag installed in Pilger, NE after theirs was lost in a tornado. He organized an effort to fund and install “We support our troops” signs at every rest stop across I-80 in Nebraska. He led the fundraising effort to secure and fund the Omaha National Cemetery in Sarpy county. He led the effort to fund and install the POW/MIA memorial chair at Werner Park.

After his death from a motorcycle incident, it was shared that his donation of tissue was able to help up to 120 individuals. His donation was, yet one more example of the kind, caring and giving person he was.

Literally, giving of himself until the very end and beyond!!! His donation has given us such pride and joy knowing that he lives on in those that were able to live better lives thanks to his tissue/organ donation!