1941
Michael
2025
Michael Richard Hans Swanson
April 20, 1941 — April 29, 2025
Michael Richard Hans Swanson, 84, died peacefully on April 29, 2025, at Dawn Hill Home in Bristol, RI. Born in Minneapolis, MN, on April 20, 1941, to C. Richard and Phoebe (Hagman) Swanson, Mike was Professor Emeritus of Roger Williams University in Bristol.
Mike graduated from Minnehaha Academy, North Park College (BA), and Case Western Reserve University (MA and PhD). Mike sang in choirs all his life. Through the training of Harry P Opel with the Minnehaha Singers, he developed the skill of sight-reading practically anything. In addition to the Minnehaha Singers, Mike sang with the North Park College Choir (Chicago), The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, S. Stephens Schola Cantorum (Providence), Providence Singers, and the choir of St. Michaels Episcopal Church, Bristol.
Mike joined the faculty at Roger Williams College (now University) in 1972 and taught History and American Studies until his retirement in 2017. He created the first and enormously popular undergraduate degree program in Historic Preservation.
Mike loved to travel. He escorted his students regularly to London to meet and learn from experts and artisans about the ins-and-outs of preserving old buildings. He toured Europe on sabbatical, using his brother Steves apartment in Germany as his home base. Almost every year he spent Christmas with his family in Minneapolis and enjoyed Minnesota cousins reunions in the summer.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, aunts and uncles. He is survived by his brother, Stephen (Marilyn) of Iowa City, IA; nephew Lars (Kristina) and their children Lorelei and Garrett of Las Vegas, NV; his niece Kari (William McGuigan) of Bonn, Germany; and several cousins.
A Celebration of Life for Mike will take place at St. Michaels Episcopal Church, 399 Hope Street, Bristol, RI, on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 1 PM. Interment in St. Michaels Memorial Garden will take place directly following the service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given in Mikes memory to St. Michaels Episcopal Church (Bristol) or The Carter Center.
Mike graduated from Minnehaha Academy, North Park College (BA), and Case Western Reserve University (MA and PhD). Mike sang in choirs all his life. Through the training of Harry P Opel with the Minnehaha Singers, he developed the skill of sight-reading practically anything. In addition to the Minnehaha Singers, Mike sang with the North Park College Choir (Chicago), The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, S. Stephens Schola Cantorum (Providence), Providence Singers, and the choir of St. Michaels Episcopal Church, Bristol.
Mike joined the faculty at Roger Williams College (now University) in 1972 and taught History and American Studies until his retirement in 2017. He created the first and enormously popular undergraduate degree program in Historic Preservation.
Mike loved to travel. He escorted his students regularly to London to meet and learn from experts and artisans about the ins-and-outs of preserving old buildings. He toured Europe on sabbatical, using his brother Steves apartment in Germany as his home base. Almost every year he spent Christmas with his family in Minneapolis and enjoyed Minnesota cousins reunions in the summer.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, aunts and uncles. He is survived by his brother, Stephen (Marilyn) of Iowa City, IA; nephew Lars (Kristina) and their children Lorelei and Garrett of Las Vegas, NV; his niece Kari (William McGuigan) of Bonn, Germany; and several cousins.
A Celebration of Life for Mike will take place at St. Michaels Episcopal Church, 399 Hope Street, Bristol, RI, on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 1 PM. Interment in St. Michaels Memorial Garden will take place directly following the service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given in Mikes memory to St. Michaels Episcopal Church (Bristol) or The Carter Center.
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