Robert Perry Swanson

Robert Perry Swanson of Lake Placid, Florida went home to heaven on July 16, 2020. He was born in 1947 in Bloomington, Minnesota to Maurice and Maxine (White) Swanson. He married the love of his life, Rose Marie Schmidt, in 1976. They celebrated their 44th anniversary in May this year. Their abiding marriage was among Bob’s greatest joys in life and he will be forever cherished as a faithful, committed and loving husband.

A man of enduring faith, Bob’s path with Christ was lifelong. He strengthened his commitment toward witnessing via Evangelism Explosion, enhanced church and Sunday school grounds with a myriad of tropical plants, built a memorial prayer garden and initiated an engraved brick walkway program to raise building funds. Men’s prayer and Bible study groups, combined with daily prayer and devotion, gave him purpose, encouraged him and allowed his hand to be firmly in the grasp of Jesus throughout his life. One of his most memorable moments was witnessing his son accept Christ while while being confirmed. Bob and Rose were members of the First Christian Church of Wilton Manors for many years and current members of First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid, Florida.

Bob worked for the Minneapolis Star & Tribune, then changed careers and flourished in real estate. He was asked by ReMax founder, Dave Liniger of Colorado, to bring ReMax to Minnesota. He opened the first office, grew the company and it became the foundation for others to follow in his footsteps. Bob and Rose moved to Florida in 1989 pursuing a job opportunity for Rose. Over the next three decades, Bob continued to work with ReMax, started a successful nursery business and launched Perry White Pipes.

Bob loved adventure. When an all-expense-paid trip to Spain was a prize at work, he worked for it and won it! His love of adventure inspired a trek on the unpaved Alcan Highway to Alaska. His special commune with nature produced an offer on a business in the Yukon. His green thumb got a license from the City of Ft. Lauderdale for a nursery on his residential property and led him to develop a new plant strain of croton; aptly named “Bob Swanson”. His love of nature called him to study at the University of Florida to obtain his Master Gardener credential. His heart knew no bounds for collecting and growing orchids, exotic fruits and all manner of exquisite tropical palms and foliage and he enjoyed the friendship of growers and collectors alike. The call of the wild saw him fishing and big game hunting across American and Canada and all manner of game birds in the midwest. His aim was true and gave way to many a great tale. He so enjoyed the camaraderie of his hunting and fishing buddies. Throughout his life he also enjoyed a dog or two at his feet—in the field or shop or watching the game with him. He truly had a special bond with each one.

When he sought peace and serenity, he turned to his great love of smoking pipes, inspired by his Grandfather “Pa” (Perry White). He built a grand collection of his beloved Charatans and then became one of America’s finest pipe makers; Perry White Pipes. In 2006 he founded the International Charatan Collectors Society to unite collectors around the world. He enjoyed his fellowship with the Ft. Lauderdale Pipe Club immensely, as well as smokers and pipe makers across the globe whom he befriended during the many trade shows he attended. He was thrilled when so many visited and stayed with him in his Florida home.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister Sally Lacy and brother Jerry Dean. He is survived by wife Rose Marie Schmidt, his son Joseph Perry Swanson of Chaska, Minnesota and parrots Burt and Bean who delighted him for over 32 years. He also leaves behind brother-in-law Dave (Gail) Lacy of Arizona, his brother’s wife June Ann Swanson of Oklahoma, sister Judy (Chuck) Norling of North Carolina and brother Steve (Patty) Swanson of California as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
4001 Sebring Parkway
Sebring, FL  33870
(863) 385-0125
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com