Chaplain Robert Swager

Chaplain Robert Gibson Swager, 91, died at his home on May 16, 2021. He was born to the late William Gibson Swager and Wilma Lucille Lodge Swager in Ravenna, Ohio where he attended the Ravenna public schools. After graduation in 1947 he attended Kent State University.

Chaplain Swager began his military career as an enlisted man in 1948 and served during the Korean War. In 1952 he left active duty as a SFC and returned to school receiving a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, and then a Master of Theology from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. He was ordained in the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1957. Returning to active duty as a chaplain, he served in Germany in the Cold War, and several posts in the United States. He did two tours of duty in Vietnam in 1965-66 and 1970-71. His military awards include, among many others, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, two Air Medals, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and two Meritorious Service Ribbons.

Swager is also a graduate of The Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He received a Master of Arts from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia; and Education Specialist from The University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC; and an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio.

After retiring from active duty, Swager was chaplain and English teacher at Camden Military Academy, and later joined the faculty of Coker College in Hartsville. He became the administrator of Coker College’s Degree Completion Program for the military at Fort Jackson.

After retiring in 1990 the couple moved to an adult community in Santee to accommodate their desire to travel, visiting all 50 states, and all provinces and territories in Canada. In 2008 the Swagers moved to the Spartanburg area and enjoyed the many cultural and historic events as long as health permitted.

In addition to his wife of 69 years, Christine Ryder Swager, he is survived by three children: Jeffrey Paul Swager (Karen) in North Carolina; Joel Robert Swager (Judy) in Georgia; Jill Swager of Spartanburg and one granddaughter, Alicia Christine Swager, a student at USC.

During his long illness his family was assisted for the last five years by his health care worker, Cassie Shields.

At his request, there will be no services other than a committal service with military honors which will be held at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia, SC, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, 213 Lansford Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301 or to Ohio Northern University, 525 South Main Street, Ada, Ohio 45801, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel