Obituary of Norman R. Swenson

STAMFORD Norman Robert Swenson, D.C., husband of Jackie, father to Rand, Jan, Kurt and Eric and spouses, proud grandfather of 11 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren, brother of Janet Marini, uncle and friend to others, and doctor to thousands over the years, died on October 11, 2012 at age 85. He is continuing his journey alongside his parents Bob and Ruth. Born on April 8, 1927 in Huntington NY, he grew up playing stickball on the surrounding fields of Long Island where he honed his wicked left-handed curve ball. Drafted into the US Army on his 18th birthday during WWII, and subsequently went to Springfield College on the G.I. Bill. He graduated in 1951 and, after a stint that saw him get back to AAA baseball, he decided to further his education at the School of Auxiliary Medical Services of the University of Pennsylvania and the Chiropractic Institute of New York. While at Penn, he practiced his persistence on more than just his studies, pursuing and winning the heart of Jacqueline Jackson, with the payoff of a nearly 60 year marriage. He dedicated his professional life to chiropractic practice, right up to his last month of life. He was intensely proud of his 11 grandchildren: Lauren (Max Forstater), Krister, Jason (Sara Hurwitz), Ingrid, Adam, Keith, Lee, Grant, Brad, Jon and Emma and enjoyed laughing at the antics of great grandson's Oskar, Atticus, and Jacob. He would have loved to welcome into his arms the twin great granddaughters who arrived the day after he passed. A resident of Stamford for 45 years, he was active in civic affairs (including Village Board and School Board), Trinity Lutheran Church and the Stamford Golf Club. As stated by some who knew him well, "Norm was one of a kind...principled, unshakable and fiercely competitive, whether throwing a baseball alongside Bob Feller....or knocking in his umpteenth 5 footer in a row to close out a golf match." He was known as a wise counselor and good friend whose laugh would carry a great distance on the golf course, although the many trees that he planted along the fairways were rarely a source of amusement. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 126 Rt 10, Stamford, with Deacon Glenn Schermerhorn officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 126 Rt 10, Stamford, NY, 12167; Village of Stamford Tree Board, c/o Richard Hinman at Stamford Village Hall, 84 Main St; or RA Robinson Rescue Squad, Stamford. Condolences for the family may be left online at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are by the MacArthur Funeral Home of Hobart.