Charles William "Bill" Swain

Charles William “Bill” Swain, age 77, died unexpectedly early Christmas morning. He was born in Des Moines Iowa to Sara and Charles Swain, who predeceased him. He grew up in Des Moines, graduating from East High School in 1955. He got his BS degree at the State University of Iowa in 1959, followed by his PhD from Brown University, Providence, RI. He taught at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio from 1963 until 1965 when he was called to teach as one of the first two full time Professors in the newly formed Dept. of Religion at FSU. In 1967-68 academic year he did post doctoral work at Harvard University in Asian Studies and traveled extensively in S.E. Asia and Japan and taught in a University in Taiwan the 1985-86 academic year. He also traveled on Mainland China, and served as Director of Asian studies at FSU on his return. He retired from FSU in 1998. He volunteered for a number of years with the Funeral Consumer Assoc, locally and nationally on the Board for many years and lobbied for consumer issues. He was a member and Elder at First Presbyterian Church since 1965 and actively involved in it's community outreach. He loved chess and started a chess program at the character and faith based prison at Wakulla Correctional Institution which he did until his death. He was a performer at Tallahassee Little Theatre over the years and a member of FSU Musical Associates, being a lover of music and the arts. He thought of himself as a man for others and truly lived that. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elaine, his daughter, Carol Willow of Minneapolis MN, son, Charles (Michelle) of Tallahassee, two sisters, Margy Norman of Tallahassee, Linda Power (Gary) of Des Moines, IA and a loving uncle to many nieces and nephews, granddaughter Alexis Miller, and great-granddaughter, Madisyn. He has been cremated and a Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, January 10th at 11:00am. Donations may be made to this church's pastor's discretionary fund or to The Open Door Community, 910 Ponce De Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA. 30306-4212. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (www.bevisfh.com, 850-385-2193) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Charles William "Bill" Swain

July 30, 2014 - December 25, 2014