Norman R. Swanson

Slingerlands- Norman Reynold Swanson PhD, passed peacefully into Eternal Life on October 12, 2023, from complications of Parkinson's Disease. He passed during the night while sleeping. His wife Ellen was at his side.

Norman was born in NYC on September 9, 1934 to Fabian and Klara Viktor Swanson, Swedish immigrants. The family, which included his older sister Gloria, was living in Brooklyn at the time. When Norman was a young boy, his family moved to Mount Holly, NJ. where his father started a small chicken farm. In 1946, when Norman was 12, his father Fabian died suddenly on October 12, 1946 from a blood clot. This was a very sad and difficult time for Norman and his family. To this very day, Norman still misses his father and hopes to be reunited with him in Heaven. Norman spent most of his growing up years in Mount Holly, NJ, graduating from Rancocas Valley Regional High School in 1952. After graduation, he went on to Villanova for a year but had to drop out because he was not able to afford to go there at the time. He joined the US Navy in January 1954, spending most of his 4 years traveling aboard the ship the USS Maury, doing surveying work in the Caribbean, work that would help NASA when returning astronauts used to be retrieved from the ocean on re-entry. After he was honorably discharged from the Navy, he used the GI Bill to complete his college education at the University of Albany, majoring in Mathematics, where he received his Bachelor Degree in 1961, his Master Degree in 1962, and eventually his Doctorate in Education in 1988. While earning his degrees at U Albany, Norman also enjoyed taking History and Art classes. Norman was always an excellent student and enjoyed learning and teaching. Norman started his teaching career teaching high school mathematics, spending a year in Middleburgh, NY and 3 years in Berne NY. He was a Professor of Mathematics at Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) for 27 years, retiring in 1993. While at HVCC, he earned many awards for his excellence in teaching.

Norman had many interests and talents and belonged to many different organizations. He belonged to the Capital District Cadillac LaSalle Club for many years and always had a vintage Cadillac convertible. He enjoyed going on road trips with the club and showing his car at shows and attending Cadillac Grand National Shows across the country. Norman was a long-time member of the Guilderland Elks Lodge #2480 for many years. Norman was also a member of the Guttenburg #737 Masonic Lodge where he became the Worshipful Master from 1997-98. Norman was also a member of the VFW as a Korean War veteran. He was a longtime member of the McKownville United Methodist Church. In later years, Norman became interested in Masters Swimming. He competed in many swim meets and was very proud of his First Place Award in Breaststroke at the National Masters Swim Meet in Pittsburgh, PA in 2005. Norman also spent time in his later years doing Artwork. He belonged to the Albany Artists Group, serving as President of the group for ten years, and showed many of his paintings at different shows. He also belonged to the Bethlehem Art Association, and the Colonie Art League. Norman was a proud member of Mensa of Northeastern New York.

Norman loved to travel and over the years he traveled to many places, far and wide. As a professor, he had summers off and took advantage of that to travel with his first wife to Europe and to every state in the US except Alaska. He especially enjoyed Road Scholar programs and went to many places in the United States He also did one in their International Program in Paris. While traveling, Norman also became a collector of antiques and other collectibles. He was especially fond of his Ginger Beer bottles, coins and telephone insulators.


In November 1997, Norman married Ellen Judge, the love of his life. The following Summer, they traveled to Sweden, going to England, then the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark on the way. They spent 2 weeks visiting Swedish cousins and other family in Sweden. Over the 26 years of their
marriage, they traveled and collected and shared a wonderful life together.

Norman is survived by his wife Ellen, his 3 nieces Susan Gennett and her daughter Danielle, Patricia Birch (Bob) and her children Kevin Burr, Jennifer Stanhope (Neil) Heather Ellingsworth, Sandra Langan (Steve) and her children Steven, Phillip (Ally) and Joe. He is also survived by 12 great-great nieces and nephews. Norman was pre-deceased by his parents, Fabian and Klara Swanson, his in-laws, Michael and Jean Judge, his sister Gloria Gennett, his brother-in-law Edward Gennett, a great niece Lisa Burr McLaughlin, and 3 cousins in Naima, Kirsten and Gulli Nordh.
We would like to thank the wonderful people from Home Instead who for the past three, made it possible for Norman to be in his home with his wife Ellen. Special thanks to Angela and Bill, and numerous others who loved and cared for Norman. And thank Hospice nurses, Kaitlyn, Dawn and Chi and staff who helped Norman medical attention at home. You are all wonderful people and we were blessed to have helping us.

In lieu of flowers, you may make, a donation to USO, the Gary Sinise Foundation, or a charity of your choice in honor of Norman.
Calling hours will be Wednesday October 18,2023 10:00am-11:00am followed by 11am service held at McKownville United Methodist Church 1565 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203. Interment will be held in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery with military honors.