David L. Swan

Published 12:55 am Saturday, November 8, 2014

1940 – 2014

David L. Swan, 74, died October 24, 2014 in Mansfield, Texas. A long-time resident of Bend, Swan died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism.

Born in Helena, Montana to Cecil and Dorothy (Woods) Swan, Dave attended high school in Spokane, Washington and was an alumnus of Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California.

Arriving in Bend in 1964, Dave was photo editor of the Bend Bulletin for 17 years. In 1975, he accompanied Bulletin publisher, Robert W. Chandler on an historic trip to the People’s Republic of China, with representatives of the American Assn. of News Editors. Swan’s photos illustrated the stories filed from editors of the nation’s top newspapers. Among his many awards, Swan was shortlisted for a Pulitzer Prize for his photo of migrant workers in Madras, Oregon.

Dave and his wife, Susan (Sam) owned and operated Q Photo, a custom photo lab in Bend from 1991 to 2004. When they retired, they bought a motor home and traveled the country for eight years. They worked for Southeast Publications, making maps for RV parks. They settled in Arlington, Texas in 2012.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, and a granddaughter, Olivia Ann Swan. In addition to his wife of 36 years, Sam, Dave is survived by his sons, Kevin Mullin, and wife, Shelly of Tacoma, WA, and Jason Swan, and wife, Jamie of Mansfield, TX; grandchildren, Morgan Mullin, Susie, Becca, Katie and Xander Swan; a sister, Carole Swan and three nephews and a niece. He is also survived by his first wife, and good friend, Linda Merker, of Bend, OR.

Dave was cremated, per his wishes. A web memorial is established at swansonthego.com. Friends are encouraged to visit the web site and contribute memories they have of Dave. The memorial will be made into a book for the grandchildren.