In Loving Memory of Robert Barlow Swanson
August 10, 1936 – June 4, 2026
Robert (Bob) Barlow Swanson was born in Paxton, Illinois to Dorothy Barlow Swanson and Leslie Frank Swanson. He spent his school years there and graduated from Paxton High School in 1954. After high school, he enlisted in the Army as a tank mechanic. After two years, he decided to head west and attend the University of Montana in Missoula—Go Grizzlies! It was there he met his future wife, Edrie Lou Parker. He was stopped at an intersection in Missoula when she suddenly jumped in his car on a dare from her friends. They married in 1959, and he continued his education, graduating with a degree in Business in 1963.
His first job took him to Great Falls, Montana, where they welcomed their first son, Douglas, in September of 1963. After a couple of years, they moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where their second son, David, was born in October of 1965. Their travels then led them to Sioux City, Iowa, where Bob began his career at Central United Life Insurance Company, serving as a Vice President in underwriting. In April of 1968, their first daughter, Elece, was born, followed by Megan in June of 1971. They loved to boat on the river, spend time with neighbors, and enjoy golfing and socializing at the Boat Club. Bob’s love for hunting carried through to his sons, and many weekends were spent with their dog, Cody, out in the fields bringing pheasants home where they had delicious family meals.
In 1979, they followed their dreams and moved to the lake town of Alexandria, Minnesota, purchasing the Windjammer Inn. Living the resort lifestyle was a perfect fit for Bob; he thoroughly enjoyed making sure the cabins and boats were all “up to par” so weekly guests could fully enjoy their stays.
Moving to Lawrence, Kansas made Bob and his entire family Jayhawk fans for life—they never missed a chance to cheer for KU basketball! He resumed his career in insurance with Standard Mutual Life Insurance Company, where he retired in 1993 and proudly began his new job in 2000 as “Grandpa.”
Baldwin City later became Bob and Edrie’s home while she was employed at Baker University. He cherished spending time with family, fishing, and teaching his grandkids how to swing a baseball bat and cast a reel. After Edrie retired in 2008, they moved to Table Rock Lake to enjoy a laid-back lifestyle. Their days were filled with more fishing, golf cart rides, and a great group of friends for playing cards and gathering at the clubhouse, with their kids and grandchildren visiting most weekends.
Bob was loved by everyone who met him. He was a man who didn’t demand the spotlight, but when he spoke and told stories, everyone listened. He kept his family laughing and never missed a chance to teach his grandkids how to bait a hook, walk the dogs, build a fire, or just hang out in his garage. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Edrie Swanson, his mother Dorothy Swanson Meeker, his father Leslie Swanson, his step-father Ronald Meeker, and his two step-brothers John Meeker and Tom Meeker. He is survived by his brother John Swanson (wife Kathi), sons Douglas Swanson and David Swanson, his daughters Elece Kellerman and Megan Wilson (husband Steve) and six grandchildren Parker Wilson, Annika Swanson, Tennyson Wilson, Jake Swanson, Charlie Swanson, and Max Kellerman.
Please join the family for a come-and-go celebration of Bob & Edrie’s wonderful life on Thursday, June 18th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Baldwin City Beer Company in Baldwin City, Kansas. Please stay casual and feel free to wear your favorite KU Jayhawk or Baker Wildcat shirt to honor her favorite teams. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of Bob to the Lawrence Humane Society, 1805 E 19th St., Lawrence, KS 66046 or online at https://lawrencehumane.org/donate/ or Baker University, Attn: Office of Development and Alumni Relations, PO Box 65, Baldwin City, KS 66006 or online at https://alumni.bakeru.edu/give/endowment/, please use The Edrie Parker Swanson Endowed Scholarship.