Dr. Robert E. Swank, M.D., 91, of Chillicothe, passed from this life Friday afternoon, December 14, 2012 in Four Winds Community Nursing Center, Jackson. He was born February 16, 1921 in Dayton, Ohio, the son of the late Elmer and Eva Swank. On June 10, 1944 he married Mary C. Curtis, his devoted wife of 60 years until her passing in 2004.
Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law, Nancy L. and Robert Platt, Williamson, NY; his son and daughter-in-law, Robert D. and Carolyn F. Swank, Jackson, OH; grandchildren, Betty Jean, Joanne, Karen, Robin, Adam and Kevin; seven great-grandchildren and devoted friends, Murlin Triplett, Richmond Dale, OH, Dr. Lewis Coppel, Chillicothe and Sue Marr, VT. His parents and a sister, Vivian preceded him in death.
Dr. Swank was a graduate of the University of Dayton and the Ohio State University College of Medicine. He was a member of ROTC at the University of Dayton and served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Japan following WW II. He came to Chillicothe in 1948 as a physician at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In 1949 he opened his own practice. Bob served the Chillicothe area until his retirement in the early 1980s, delivering many babies and practicing family medicine and anesthesia. He was Chief of Staff at Medical Center Hospital in 1980.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Scioto Lodge #6, F&AM, the Scottish Rite and the Shrine. In the 1960s and 70s, he was active in the Boy Scouts, making two trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in 1966 and 1967. He was awarded the Vigil of Honor, Order of the Arrow; the Wood Badge with three beads, serving as Course Director in 1974 and was a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award.
Bob was an active pilot and aircraft owner for many years and was a flower enthusiast, know for growing orchids.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 18, 2012 in the Fawcett Oliver Glass and Palmer Funeral Home, 77 E. Fifth Street, Chillicothe with Pastor Robin Wargowsky officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.
A memorial register is available on-line at www.fawcett-palmer.com