Obituary of Robert B. Swift, Jr.

Robert B. Swift, Jr. On April 21, 2008 passed away at Sunrise Assisted Living Center in Galloway, NJ, formerly of Cherry Hill, NJ for 50 years. Of the Greatest Generation, he was born in Cincinnati, OH on August 17, 1921 and grew up in Martins Ferry, OH, with his beloved sister Dorothy. He graduated as valedictorian from Martins Ferry High School in 1939. He was an Air Force Veteran of World War II where he served as a B-17 Pilot in the 8th Air Force, 92nd Bomb Group (Fames Favored Few) and 407th Bomb Squadron stationed at Podington Air Force Base in England. He received several awards including an Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Unit Badge and Victory Medal-WWII. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force as a Major. On May 28, 1945 he married Jean Holsclaw of Louisville, KY for 57 years until her death in 2003. In 1952 he joined the Henry Vogt Machine Company of Louisville, KY where he became the Mid-Atlantic Regional Sales Manager and moved to Cherry Hill, NJ. After 40 successful years, he retired from Vogt in 1992 at age 70. While in Cherry Hill he and Jean were early settlers of Kingston Estates and founding members of the Kingston Estates Swim Club and then early settlers of Fox Hollow Woods and founding members of Charleston Swim Club. He was also founding President of the Cherry Hill East Parents Football Booster Club. An avid car collector and grease monkey (from VWs to Corvettes), he kept busy in the garage. He also enjoyed flea marketing and loved all music especially Big Band. He was the beloved husband of the late Jean (Holsclaw), loving brother to the late Dorothy (Webster), devoted father to the late Robert Swift, III. Never to be forgotten, he is survived by children William and wife Carole of Haddonfield, NJ and Carol Bassford and her husband Tom of Galloway, NJ and cherished GrandBob to his granddaughters Kara Swift of Haddonfield, NJ and Laura and Julie Bassford of Galloway, NJ. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation with the family on Friday, April 25th, starting at 6:00pm with a memorial service starting at 7:30pm at the LeRoy P. Wooster Funeral Home, 441 White Horse Pike, Atco, NJ (856)767-0539. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the charity of the donors choice.