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Bruce Ryan Swinburne passed away peacefully on May 22, 2021. He was born at home in Delhi, Iowa, on Children’s Day, June 12, 1932 while his two older brothers sat on the porch steps waiting to go to Sunday School! He graduated from Delhi High School and Northern Iowa University, formerly Iowa State Teachers College. He attended Marine Corps Advanced Infantry Training in Paris Island and Quantico and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. He served two years active duty in California, Japan, and Hawaii as a 1st Lt. He married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Lou Gaddie, on May 29, 1954.
His first teaching and coaching position was in Humboldt, Iowa. Two wonderful children, Kraig Allen and Wendy Lou were born in 1956 and 1957. He served as a guidance counselor in Gilmore City, Iowa. Summers were spent in Greeley, Colorado, where he received his Master’s Degree. In 1962, Bruce became dean of Estherville Jr. College and restored the college to a viable and growing institution. In 1966, Bruce became the founding Dean of Glen Oaks Community College. The family moved to Bloomington, Indiana, where Bruce earned his doctorate and was recognized as the top student in his class in the Department of Higher Education. He accepted a position as assistant professor of higher education at Southern Illinois University. He served as vice president of student affairs for fifteen years while still teaching and chairing doctoral student committees as a full professor. One of his greatest joys was interacting with students and attending many of their events. He was known for his friendly demeanor and his famous handshake! After seventeen years at SIU, he accepted a position as president of Mitchell College in New London, CT. His last position before retirement was starting the doctoral program at U. of Arkansas at Little Rock. He loved teaching and working with doctoral students. Between U. of AR and SIU he chaired about 100 students through their programs and dissertations to achieve their doctoral degrees. Bruce served as an elder in several Presbyterian churches and was a life member of the University of the Ozarks, a Presbyterian University. He and his wife retired to Ponce Inlet, FL in 1998. They enjoyed summers in the Colorado Rockies and traveling the world. He was very proud of having authored three novels. He loved reading, the St. Louis Cardinals, and walking the beach.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 67 years, Mary Lou, and his beloved children, Kraig Swinburne and Wendy Bonczyk. He was devoted to his grandchildren, Rachel Marstaller (Josh), Madeline Swinburne, and Nathan Swinburne, as well as many nieces, nephews and their families. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Thomas Gaddie and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Wanda and Harold Reedy.
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 620 S. Grandview, Daytona Beach, FL, on Thursday, May 27 at 1:00 P.M.
