David Harry Swanson passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Hampshire, Illinois, surrounded by his favorite pictures and songs, in peace and love. He was 91½ years old.
Mr. Swanson (2320 Group) was featured at TMA’s 48th Annual Prayer Breakfast in 2024, when he led the assembly in prayer. He received recognition that morning as having attended TMA’s first ever prayer breakfast. He’s been a faithful promoter of his faith in his family and his community for many, many years, according to his son Rich Swanson, who shared a Bible verse and a testimony of his Christian faith.
His official obituary denotes his proud affiliation and contribution to the Technology & Manufacturing Association’s Christians in Manufacturing group:
David was born on October 5, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois, to Adele Lenell (Boda, Sweden) and Harry Swanson (Jönköping, Sweden). He was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Lynn (d. 2022), for 57 years; a cherished father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. His faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation and center of his life.
David served in the United States Navy from 1952-1960 as a communications specialist, intercepting Russian transmissions along the East and West Coasts and the Great Lakes during the early years of the Cold War.
He was a gifted tool and die maker and an inventive engineer. Together with his brothers, he co-founded Swanbro Corporation in 1964, with their first shop in Rosemont. Later they built Swanbro’s permanent home at 580 Lively Blvd. in Elk Grove Village where they designed and built tooling used to manufacture parts for products that improved everyday life for all of us.
Faith, family, and service were the hallmark of David’s life. He served as Sunday School Superintendent at Summerdale Evangelical Free Church in Chicago. Alongside Lynn, he was active with the Gideons International, helping ensure that Bibles were available in hotel rooms across the country. He was also involved with the Tooling & Manufacturing Association and helped support the growth of CBMC (Christian Business Men’s Connection). David faithfully served as a deacon and elder at Mt. Prospect Bible Church and in later years worshiped at Harvest Bible Chapel in Elgin. David shared with people the love and hope of Jesus until his final breath on Earth.
David had a lifelong passion for helping children and families grow in faith. This commitment was reflected in his 42 years of service on the Board of Awana Clubs International from 1982 to 2024. Dave and Lynn served for decades in their local Awana Club at Mt. Prospect Bible Church, reaching young people throughout the Northwest Suburbs with the good news about a relationship with Jesus.
Dave and Lynn loved traveling with their family in their beloved Jamboree motorhome, visiting nearly every state and province in North America and creating many cherished memories along the way. In later life, they spent many years with their family up at Clark Lake in Door County, Wisconsin.
A visitation and funeral service were held Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Laird Funeral Home, 310 South State Street, Elgin, Illinois. He was buried proceeding at Memorial Washington Cemetery, 39W844 Highland Avenue, Elgin.