Gustaf Swanson

Gustaf B. Swanson, 74 years old, completed his baptism Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, while visiting his beloved Western Kentucky University.
Gus was born in Calhoun on July 24, 1942, and attended school in Owensboro. In the sixth grade, he met the love of his life, Beverly, whom he followed home from school every day. They graduated from Owensboro Senior High in 1960 and they started dating after he graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1964 with a Bachelor in Arts. They married Nov. 18, 1967. Gus taught in the Hancock County School System and began a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling, which he completed in 1968.

Gus served 32 years at the Hancock County Board of Education, beginning his career as Art Supervisor for the whole county for three years, co-coordinator of a Federal Experimental Schools Project 1972-1977. As a part of the Experimental Schools Project, he organized the Hancock County Historical Society, serving as its first president, organized the Hancock County Cultural Enrichment Committee and, as a part of that committee, developed a Juried Art Exhibition which remained in existence for five years and in the final year, it exhibited artwork from artists in several nearby states. His service to Hancock County also included duties as a school social worker, psychometrist, special education coordinator and middle school guidance counselor. He also participated in the Gifted and Talented program.
He was awarded Outstanding Republican in the State of Kentucky because of his leadership of the Young Republican Club in Hancock County in 1969.
He served four terms as president of Hancock County Retired Teachers Association, was 2nd District president of Kentucky Retired Teachers and also served on the Executive Council for Kentucky Retired Teachers from 2006-2007. He served as president of the Hancock County Education Association for six years and was very active in KEA. He was also a Commissioned Kentucky Colonel 1994.

Gus' love of family was integral in his life — he made many phone calls on a daily basis to keep in touch with his sisters, brothers, nephews, nieces and cousins, and when he was able, loved to travel across the country and the globe to visit them. He was an avid genealogy expert, keeping detailed family histories for both his family and others'. There was nothing Gus loved more than perusing an antique shop or discussing his extensive collection of china, antiques and art. His love of beauty also manifested in his own artwork, furniture-making, cooking, decorating and party planning.

Perhaps nothing was more important to Gus than his love for his wife, Beverly, and daughter, Susan. As a husband and father, he provided support, love, wisdom and compassion. He was tender of heart but had a strong spirit, and even though his life was filled with numerous health problems, he remained strong in his faith and belief in prayer until the end. His love of WKU was evident in his gifts of artwork to the Center for Gifted Studies and his many years of attendance at Alumni College, the only attendee who participated in all 12 years of its existence.

Gus is survived by his wife, friend and lifemate, Beverly; his daughter, Susan Swanson of Owensboro; a brother, Martin Swanson (Elaine) of California; a sister, Dennie Martin (Larry) of Owensboro; sister Brenda Wedding (Hal) of Evansville; sister Lois Cooke of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Nannie Sue Swanson; brother Leslie Swanson of Florida; sister Ruby Ross of Owensboro and sister Lillian Moorman of Owensboro.

Services for Mr. Swanson will be 2 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church in Owensboro. Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and after 1 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to First Presbyterian Church, 1328 Griffith Avenue, Owensboro, Kentucky 42301 or the WKU Center for Gifted Studies, 1906 College Heights Blvd. #71031, Bowling Green, KY 42101

Condolences may be left for the family at www.glennfuneralhome.com.