Obituary of Richard H. Swope

Richard (Dick) H. Swope, of Redmond Washington, passed away November 18, 2023, at the age of 89, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was the son of the late Rufus A. and Marguerite M. Horting Swope and was married for almost 64 years to the late Joyce E. Loser Swope, who passed away in January.

Dick was born and raised on a farm in Myerstown, Pennsylvania, and was president of his senior class. He attended Temple University where he obtained a BS in Pharmacy. After college, he volunteered for military serve as an enlistee in the army and was stationed at what was then called Fort Lewis, near Tacoma, Washington. Upon returning to Pennsylvania, he asked his sister if she knew of a nurse worth courting, and she did! They were married six months later.

Dick obtained an MS in Business Administration Management from California State University, Northridge in 1974. He worked for 32 years as a pharmaceutical sales representative with Eli Lilly & Co. He always had time to help others and was a valued mentor.

Dick enjoyed many activities over the years: playing tennis, camping and backpacking, skiing with family and friends, watching college football, visiting east-coast family, organizing school reunions, and traveling the world with his wife. He was active in church and the Optimist Club.

Besides his wife, Dick was predeceased by his brother John F. Swope, and his sister Catharine V. Garrett. He is survived by his children, Richard (Rick) H. Swope, Jr. of Portland, Oregon, and Kristi L. Swope, of Livermore, California.

Services will be held privately. If you wish to make a donation in his memory, please donate to the Richard and Joyce Swope Endowed Fund, established to benefit students at Temple University’s School of Pharmacy, 3307 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, attention christopher.vanvessem@temple.edu.