Robert V. Swegel

America has lost a hero.  Sir Robert V. “Bob” Swegel, 96, of Forest City, passed away on Monday, July 11, 2022.

Born in the “Cowtown” area of Forest City, he was the son of the late Joseph A. and Anna J. (Simoles) Swegel.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Noreen (Rotherforth) on Jan 1, 2019.  The couple was married on May 28, 1955 and were members of Ascension Parish, Forest City.  Bob dropped out of high school the day he turned 16 and went to work in various jobs with his father in upstate New York and New Jersey. Once eligible for military service, he left work to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps and became a tail-gunner on B-24 Liberators of the “Mighty 8th” Air Force, 44th Bomb Group, 68th Bomb Squadron during World War II.   He saw 17 combat missions over Europe, crash-landing once and bailing out once.  Three of those missions were against German troops surrounding French garrisons, which eventually led to France knighting him with the presentation of the Legion d’Honneur, Chevalier rank (the foundation for his “Sir” title).

He eventually obtained his high school diploma, graduating from night school at North Scranton High, and went on to become a Civil Engineer and then a Professional Engineer, having attended classes at the University of Scranton and Pennsylvania State University, as well as obtaining his Sewage Enforcement Officer certification.  He worked most of his life as an Engineer for PENNDOT, eventually overseeing 9 counties in Northeastern PA before retiring in 1988.  He also owned a land surveying business for many years.  He was a licensed private pilot, an Amateur “Ham” radio operator (WB3JMK) and a member of Forest City American Legion Charles and Martin Skubic Post 524 and Simpson VFW “Walter Paciga” Post 4712.

Surviving are a son, Col. (Ret) Jeffrey R. Swegel and wife, Destrianne, Vandling; a daughter, Janine (Swegel) Martin, Hanover, MD; five grandchildren: Stefan, Robert and Abigail Swegel and Jake and Felicia Martin; two great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Addie Mae Swegel; and a plethora of nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by 3 brothers, Joseph E. Swegel, Richard J. “Dick” Swegel and Thomas P. Swegel and a sister Arlene A. (Swegel) Vadella.

The funeral will be Wednesday, July 20th, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, Delaware Street, Forest City.  Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Forest City. 

Friends may call Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Jones & Brennan Funeral Home, 430 Main St., Forest City, and at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until Mass time.

In lieu of flowers, please pay for a Veteran’s lunch.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert V. Swegel, please visit our floral store.