Rodney G. Swanson

Rodney Gale Swanson, or Papa Rod to his grandchildren & great-grandchildren, passed away Friday, January 16th at the age of 91. Rod was born in 1923 in Santa Clara, OR. His father, Helga, started Swanson & May Lumber Co. at Noti, OR in 1937, an experience which no doubt helped to prepare Rod in his future endeavors. In April of 1943 he joined the Army, leaving his studies at the University of Oregon, to join WWII. He was a light machine gunner for the year he was overseas often driving the company jeep hoarding his rations under his seat. He was quite upset when the location of his stash was discovered and ransacked. While stationed in France he met and married his first wife, Olesia. He left the Army in 1946, receiving two Bronze Stars for his service in Europe. Upon returning to the United States, he earned his Chemical Engineer Degree at OSU, built a few houses with his brother to earn extra money, and started his family. In 1951 he founded Superior Lumber Co. (now Swanson Group, Inc.) in Glendale, OR with 2 of his brothers. Rod & his brother Dean would continue to run that company for the rest of their working days. In 1988 Rod married his second wife and adopted her 2 children always treating them as his own. Papa Rod had a great sense of adventure. He was a pilot for a number of years, he sailed the world in a sailboat and later a powerboat, crossing the Atlantic twice and going through the Panama Canal numerous times. He was an avid traveler visiting all of Europe as well as Africa, China, India, and Russia. He is survived by his wife, 6 children, 17 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. I lieu of flowers donation can be made to Alzheimer's Association of Oregon, 1650 NW Naito Parkway Suite 190, Portland OR 97209 / 1.800.872.3900 / alz.org/oregon or Oregon Commission for the Blind, 228 North Holly St., Medford, OR 97501 / (541) 776-6047.
Services have been held.