th his loving wife, Cindy, at his side at Ava’s House hospice on Sunday, Feb. 10, after a valiant battle with cancer and COPD. He was surrounded by family and friends in his final days.

 Bob was born on March 8, 1952, in Washington, DC. After graduation from high school in Arlington, VA, Bob entered the U.S. Army where he was trained as a Medical Technician. Upon being stationed at the United States Army Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick Maryland he found his calling as the photographer for the Institute. 

He met the love of his life, Cindy Haux, while serving. 

He fell in love with the prairies of South Dakota while visiting Cindy’s family. After they were both honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, they moved to Brookings, where Bob obtained his Journalism degree from SDSU.

 Bob was a well-known voice on SD Public Radio for many years. He hosted a program where he highlighted musicians from South Dakota, many of whom credit Bob for giving them a significant boost to their careers.

 In 2011, Bob started Science at the Pub, a monthly gathering at Jim’s Tap where interested folks came together to listen to talks from local, regional and national scientists on a variety of topics. Contributions raised were donated to the Brookings Public Library to support children’s science programs.  Bob was also involved in the community by donating his time to local organizations. He served on the East Central Mental Health Board of Directors. 

 In addition to music and science, Bob loved intellectual discourse. As one friend noted, Bob knew a little bit about everything and a lot about most of it! During most Friday night “Services at St. James”, folks would rotate sitting on the stool next to Bob’s at Jim’s Tap and enter into lively debate with Bob on a variety of topics.

 A farewell memorial will honor Bob at his favorite hang-out, Jim’s Tap, on Friday, March 8, 2019. 

A celebration of life gathering will be held in Leola in the Spring of 2019.  

Bob is survived by his wife, Cindy Swinson of Brookings; mother, Frances Swinson; two brothers, Eric (Anne) Swinson and Peter Swinson; sister, Patricia (Jim) Kallenborn, and several nieces and nephews. Bob’s surviving family all reside in the Arlington, VA area. He is remembered with love by his mother-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law, their children, and his great niece and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Swinson; his grandparents, and his father-in-law (Harold Haux).

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com