Robert "Bob" Nathan Swart

Robert Nathan Swart, age 84 of Grand Haven, passed away at Heartwood Lodge-Hospice on Thursday, February 28, 2019. He was born on March 24, 1934 in Grand Haven, MI to the late William James and Anne (Burns) Swart. Bob graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1953 and proudly served in the US Army from 1954-1956, during the Korean Conflict.

On January 18, 1958, he married June Alice Hartman in Grand Haven. Bob and June had the blessing of being married for 61 years. He received his BS in Elementary Education and a Masters in Administration from Western Michigan University, as well as a Masters in Reading from Wayne State University. Bob started his career as a teacher in the Grand Rapids School System. In 1966, he moved his family to the Island of Guam and took a job as a public school teacher with the government of Guam. Bob left Guam in 1970 while working as an Assistant Principal of the elementary school on Anderson Air Force Base. He then returned to the Tri-Cities area and began his career in the Grand Haven Public School System, receiving the Excellence in Service Award and retiring as the principal of Griffin Elementary School.

Bob’s interests were based around his community. He served as an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven, where he was a member since 1970. Bob was instrumental in starting Young Life in Grand Haven and served on the boards of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation and Four Pointes Senior Center.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, June; his devoted daughters, Abby (Charles) Gunter, Kerry (Paul) Dame, and Jennifer (Gordon) McAdams; daughter-in-law, Jackie Swart; grandchildren, Gwen Gunter, Jenelle and David Dame, Caitlyn (Jay) Hardy, Nemesis and Felix Swart; great-grandchild, Argus Swart; sister, Arlene (Glenn) Yoas; sister-in-law, Edith Swart; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, William J. “Bud” Swart in 2008 and his brother, James W. Swart.

A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Troy Hauser Brydon officiating. 

Memorial Contributions may be given to First Presbyterian Church or Grand Haven Area Community Foundation-Scholarship Fund.

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