Richard James Swoboda, Jr.

Richard (known as Dick to his friends and family) grew up in Vineland, NJ and graduated from Millville High School.  At the tender age of 16, as a Cadet Master Sergeant in the Cumberland Composite Squadron, he obtained his private pilot’s license.  He loved all things aviation.  He loved to tell his children and grandchildren that his mother had to drive him to the airport to fly because he didn’t yet have his driver’s license!

He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1971.  He left his doctoral program several months later when his father died and took over the pharmacy his father owned.  He was later awarded an honorary Doctoral Certificate.  At the age of 36, he was named Director of the Year out of 150 candidates for HPI Health Care Services, a nationally owned company.  While in TN, he was the hospital Pharmacy Director for Nashville General Hospital, Skyline Medical Center, and Centennial Medical Center.  He was also the Pharmacy Director of Home Infusion for two companies.  He loved all things pharmacy and was “special counsel” to many patients, friends, and family all of his life.

Together with Susan, who he married in 1994, Dick developed RJS Photography and took wedding, senior, family and dog portraits.  In 2000, he received his Professional Photographer’s Certification just before they moved from Meadville, PA to Franklin, TN.

His love of travel and history took him all over the world throughout Europe, England, and Japan.  Travel was only one of his many hobbies.  After he retired in 2012, Dick heard “the call of the wood” and began to develop his skills as a wood turner under the tutelage of Brevard Haynes, a dear friend and master craftsman himself.  He always referred to Brevard as his “wood mentor” and they spent many hours, along with other woodworking friends, in his workshop.

Over the years, Dick made beautiful bowls, cutting boards, and furniture.  (He only lost “part of a finger” doing it!)  His legacy to his family and friends is the presence of his wooden treasures that they can use and enjoy daily.

Dick continued to pursue his many hobbies (history, travel, music, photography, and woodworking) until his untimely diagnosis of cancer in May 2021.  He loved all of his children and grandchildren and could be heard laughing and talking like Donald Duck as he watched ALL of the Disney movies with them OVER and OVER again.

Dick loved LUNCH and he loved to go out to lunch with friends.  On Tuesdays, his lunch mates were Gary, Larry, and JC.  On Thursdays, he lunched with Will.  His “every other day during the week” buddies included James and Jerry (who also happened to be woodworking buddies too).  In fact, many more wonderful friends and family joined him as often as they could— especially to try out every new restaurant that opened!

His was a life well lived.  He was a friend to all he met.  A servant of the Lord, his faith continued to grow during his illness.  He never doubted where he was going.  He will be remembered for his kindness, care, generosity, and his big, warm smile.

He will be greatly missed by his beloved family including his wife of 27 years, Susan; his daughter Danielle Adamsky (Joe) and grandchildren Sidney and Tyler from Pennsylvania; his son Jonathan Swoboda (Amy) and granddaughter Clara from Maryland; his son Nik Swoboda (Waki) and granddaughter Lila from Spain; his daughter Katie Haseltine (Dan) and grandsons Noah and Max from Franklin, TN; and daughter Summer Curwen (Rob) and grandchildren Adam and Lucy from Franklin, TN.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, November 14, 2021 at 4 p.m. at Christ Community Church, 1215 Hillsboro Road, Franklin, TN 37069.  Family members will remain after the service for a brief period to greet friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Refuge Center for Counseling, 103 Forrest Crossing Blvd, #102, Franklin, TN 37064 or www.refugecenter.org

His obituary can be found on legacy.com with thanks to the Waid family in Meadville, PA.