Randall Craig “Randy” Swanson, 67, of Warren, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 21, 2019, at Saint Vincent Hospital, Erie, PA, surrounded by his family, following a brief illness. He was born on July, 12, 1952, in Kane, PA, the son of the late Gerald E. Swanson and Garnet G. (Zerbe) Swanson of Kane, PA.
Randall was a 1970 graduate of Kane Area High School and a 1974 graduate of Edinboro State College. He was employed by the Warren County School District for 33 years, where he taught Art in many county schools. As a teacher, he touched the countless lives of his students, and inspired them with a true appreciation of art. Randall will always be remembered as an artist. He could draw, paint, cook, decorate a home, and set a table with the best of them. Art – whether the kind on a wall or the kind that fills a dinner plate – was his gift, his ministry, and the fondest and fullest expression of his love. He was proud of his Swedish heritage, and instilled the many traditions he was so fond of in his family, especially on Christmas Eve. Randall loved celebrating holidays, or any occasion where he could gather the people he loved, feed them, share fellowship, and make memories. His family was his world.
Randall was involved in many organizations including the Warren Players Club, the Warren Art League, the Shakespeare Club, and the Knights of Columbus. He volunteered for the Warren General Hospital Auxiliary and served as an Art Club Advisor during his years of teaching. After retirement, Randall enjoyed serving as a substitute teacher, watching his granddaughter, building his collection of recipes on his “Swedish Chef” blog, listening to music, watching cooking shows, and spending quiet time with his dogs. He was a member of First Lutheran Church of Warren, and enjoyed volunteering each month preparing meals for their senior lunch. He thoroughly enjoyed spending his summers at Jones Pond Camp Ground in Angelica, NY, meeting many cherished friends.
In addition to his parents, Randall was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Charles and Rosina Zerbe, his paternal grandparents, Oscar and Mary Swanson, and his Chocolate Lab, Koko.
He is survived by his beloved husband, Ian Hinsdale, whom he proudly married on October 18, 2014, two daughters, Emily McCullor (Jeffrey) of Erie, PA, Laura O’Connor (Timothy Thomas), of Spring Creek, PA, his sister, Lynda Schul (Gary) of Kane, PA, his Father-In-Law, James Hinsdale (Gayle), Mother-In-Law, Julia Blanton, and Sister-In-Law, Kori Rodriguez (Jimmy), long-time friend, Janet Whipple, several nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, dear friends, and his Shih Tzu, Sabastian. He is also survived by his two granddaughters, whom he loved fiercely, with every ounce of his being, and who were his pride and joy, Isabella O’Connor and Olivia McCullor.
Friends and family will be received at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA, on Monday, November 25, 2019, from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm. Visitation will also be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2019, at First Lutheran Church, 109 W. Third Ave., Warren, PA, from 10 to 11 am at which time a Memorial Service will be held with Rev. Jeffrey Ewing, Pastor, officiating, assisted by Rev. Scott Schul, Senior Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, State College, PA, and The Rev. Matthew R. Scott, Vicar of Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church, Warren, PA. Inurnment will be in the First Lutheran Church columbarium. In lieu of flowers those wishing to place a memorial may do so to Paws Along The River, 212 Elm St., Warren, PA, 16365, or to the Warren Art League, 2043 Pennsylvania Ave. East, Warren, PA, 16365, or to Hospice of Warren County, 1 Main Avenue, Warren, PA, 16365. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
I will miss your warm greetings every time I walked by your camper
So sorry to hear of this… Mr Swanson was my favorite teacher in high school. My condolences to the family.
Ian, I am sorry for your loss. Please know you are in my thoughts, across the miles, as well as all members of your family.
Rip what a great teacher so sad… Thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends.
Melissa (Robl) kildow
YHS
Dear Ian & family, Oh Ian……Sending Our most deepest sympathy to you and the family. Randy was such a kind ,gentle, loving soul. Full of life, he was an amazing cook, and he loved those grand children who he talked about often. Randy loved life…..he loved his hubby and family like no other!!! (You will certainly be missed my friend,
RIP. ❣)Praying for peace and strength for all of you. ❣
Love, Ralph & Cheryl
He was one of coolest down to earth teacher I ever had. He was an amazing art teacher .He will be missed. Condolences to his family and friends
Heidi(Martin) Kreckel
Class of 2001 & 2002 at YHS
So very sad to know of my cousin Randy as have got to know him all his life .So glad that I got to see him last fall and was so nice to see him. I do hope that his family will be ok as will pray for them .I will miss him as every year we try to get together at the family reunion and so glad that we all try to meet every year as is a lot of fun to see everyone. He will be missed by all that got to know him.
Randy was an amazing Art teacher, hugs and prayers to the whole family.
We will always remember the “cooking class” that he and Ian gave us as a camper warming gift. I will miss stopping every once in a while for a glass of wine and a visit with Randy at his site. His food blog motivated many to try new recipes. We shared the love of teaching art and we will surely miss him!
I always loved waiting on Randy when he came into Tops and Bilo and hearing about the great dishes he was making. Ian,what a wonderful experience spending your life with such a wonderful person.You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Our deepest sympathy. We are so sorry for your loss Ian. Our thoughts and prayers sent for you and family
Ian,
Barb and I send our condolences to you and all the rest of Randy’s loved ones.I got
to know him when he was teaching at Youngsville High;I was the physics teacher.He’ll
be remembered as a true gentleman who cherished his loved ones,career,interests &
charitable involvements.In retirement years,it was always great to see him at the market
and catch up for a few minutes.Our prayers are with you all.
Terry Hallock
So very sorry for your loss. I was enrolled in every art class that I could be with Mr. Swanson and spent a lot of time in the ones that I was not enrolled in. He was an amazing teacher and wonderful person.
Emily, Jeff, Olivia, we are so sorry for your loss of your Dad, This is a difficult time but, you will get through all of this. Take the time to remember him, cry over him and be thankful for the time you had with your Dad.
We are so sorry for your loss. Remember the good that he brought into your life. Take time to cry and then time to remember all that he means to you.
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A joy to be around and a wonderful dinner partner at Shakespeare Club. He will be missed
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I am so sorry to hear of Randy’s passing. My apologies for the lateness as well. I just found out today of his demise. Randy was my art teacher in HS in the 70s and when I was going through family issues he was there to listen and give his advise and understanding. I also learned a great deal from how he taught about art and having a love of many types of art. Randy…Our loss is Heaven’s gain. You will be missed and I am truly sorry that we didn’t keep in touch as much as we did.