RICHARD G. “Dick” SWANSON

Richard G. “Dick” Swanson, age 82, of Wasco, passed away surrounded by the love and prayers of his family, Thursday, December 2, 2021.

He was born February 19, 1939, in St. Charles, IL, to proud and loving parents, Gordon and Rose (Wilkison) Swanson.

Dick grew up in Wasco and attended local schools. He graduated from St. Charles High School with the class of 1957.

Dick was united in marriage to Judith Willing and they were blessed with two children, Richard and Randall.

Dick worked construction for most of his life but spent time as a St. Charles Auxiliary Policemen in his early years. He spent several years at Abrahamson’s before moving on to White Brother’s Trucking, working alongside his father. In 1965, Dick started a company with his friend Charlie Bagg, named Bagg & Swanson Trucking and Excavating. In 1968, he bought Charlie out and started R.G. Trucking and Excavating. The time came to move on in 1981when he went to work for G. Baker Express in Batavia, hauling merchandise for Aldi. Hines Component brought him into a different driver’s seat, becoming a crane truck operator. He finally handed in his keys in 2010 when he retired.

Dick was a past member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, St. Charles.

Dick’s vocabulary was…colorful to say the least. He loved riding motorcycles and snowmobiles, but also enjoyed spending time watching his son tinkering with them as well. Dick made a name for himself on the oval, driving like hell at the Bob Jo Speedway, taking the checkered flag as often as he could. He was infamous for his de-scented pet skunk, that may or may not have had a name, but he always made an impression. Dick’s seven acres north of the Wisconsin Dells became a weekend retreat for the family spending time on the boat fishing and bringing home a questionable number of fish, but the tales were always larger than life. Dick was one of kind and he knew it, but everyone also knew that no matter how you felt, he will always be remembered.

He is survived by two sons: Richard “Butch” (Michelle Wollenweber) Swanson and Randall “Randy” (Brenda) Swanson; 2 grandchildren: Victoria and Jacob Swanson; two great-grandchildren: Ripley and Slater Swanson; his sister, Linda (Mickey) Glasco; several nieces, nephews and a family of friends.

He is preceded by his parents, Gordon and Rose Swanson; one grandson Lukas “Luke” Swanson and former wife Judy Swanson.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Sunday, December 5, 2021, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A funeral to celebrate his life will begin at 1 p.m., Monday, December 6, also at the funeral home, with interment to follow at Whitney Cemetery, St. Charles, IL.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may made to your local animal shelter. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.