Richard Allen Swayze

Richard Allen Swayze, known to his friends as Dick, age 70, of Phoenixville, PA, ended his battle with cancer on October 31, 2012, in his home, surrounded by his family. Born June 18th, 1942 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania to William and Betty Swayze, he is survived by his wife of 41 years, The Reverend Marie Z. Swayze, his two sons, David (his wife Kirstin Tobiasson) and Andrew, and his sister, Carol. Growing up in Westgate Hills, he discovered his passion for radios, electronics, and engineering, and while attending Haverford High School, ran the school radio station before graduating in 1961. Following high school, he spent two years in the US Army as a military policeman and broadcast technician, receiving an honorable discharge in 1963. Immediately following the Army, Richard worked for WTOP Washington, D.C., and was one of the technicians stationed atop the Lincoln Memorial to record the funeral of John F. Kennedy. Shortly thereafter, he began working at WCAU Channel 10 in Philadelphia as the transmitter technician, a position he would hold for over 40 years. An avid ham radio operator, known by the call sign K3ECV, he could be found donating his time and expertise to myriad local organizations and charitable groups, including The Clinic, St. James School, St. Mark's Church, and Philadelphia Area Repeater Association. A wake will be held at his home Friday evening, November 2nd. A Solemn High Requiem will be held at St. Mark's Church, 1625 Locust St, Philadelphia, at 11:00am, Saturday, November 3rd. His ashes will be interred by his family at a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mark's Church, or to St. James School, 3217 West Clearfield St, Philadelphia. Condolences may be given to the family at www.DevlinRosmosKepp.com. Arrangements are by the Devlin Rosmos Kepp & Gatcha Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 517 S. Main Street, Phoenixville, PA.

Published in The Times Herald on November 2, 2012