Obituary of Randall L. Swanson

Randall Lynn Swanson, MD, 57 of Lakewood, NY, died unexpectedly on Monday, July 18th at WCA Hospital. He was born in Jamestown, NY, on September 21st, 1953 to the late Harold L. and Donna M. Ton Swanson. He was the husband of Linda Voltmann Swanson, whom he married June 24, 1978 at Chautauqua Institution. Dr. Swanson was educated in the Jamestown Public School System and graduated from JHS in 1971. In his youth, he excelled in swimming at the YMCA and at JHS. He was the first of Coach Rollinger's swimmers to qualify for the NYS meet. He was also an Eagle Boy Scout. Dr. Swanson graduated magna cum laude from Colgate University in 1975 and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He was a member of KDR Fraternity, where he forged close lifetime friendships. He graduated from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in 1979, where he also completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery in 1984. He was a fellow of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery for 26 years. Dr. Swanson returned to Jamestown and established a solo practice in 1984. He later joined Jamestown Area Medical Associates at its formation in 1997. He was a member of the WCA medical staff and served as president. He was also a member of the WCA Hospital Board of Directors from 2000 to 2003 and a director of the WCA Group. He served on the United Way Board of Directors, including a term as President, and the Fenton Historical Society Board. He was confirmed at First Covenant Church, and was an active member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the Chautauqua Lake Yacht Club and the Jamestown Skeet Club, and was a lifetime member of the YMCA. He was a local history buff, an avid rail fan, and a member of the Penn-York and Independent Railroad Clubs. As a model railroader, he won several national awards for his scratch built O-scale structures. Dr. Swanson was a talented carpenter, woodworker, and landscaper. He restored his 1870's home and the historic Westfield New York Central Railroad Station, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Christine R. Swanson of Rochester, NY, and Peter A. Swanson of Dallas, Texas; his sister Kaye L. Young (Steve) of Jamestown; aunts, Carol Thompson (Gail) of Olean, NY, and Marlea Brown of Ashville, NY. He was predeceased by his grandparents Gilbert and Minnie Ton of Clymer, NY, and Lawrence and Laurine Swanson of Jamestown, NY. The funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday in the First Covenant Church. Rev. Timothy J. Hoyer, pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, will officiate. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the WCA Emergency Room Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 840, Jamestown, NY 14702, to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 35 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750, or to a charity of choice.