Robert Clayton Swanger, 70, of State College, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at Mount Nittany Medical Center.
He was born Feb. 22, 1939, in State College, to Elmer L. and Virginia Hummel Swanger. On May 24, 2006, he married Lois Rockey. He served in the U.S. Navy and worked at Rider Auto for 44 years. He belonged to the State College American Legion, Post 245. He enjoyed building model lighthouses and had to have chocolate every day. He adored his wife and grandchildren and loved his animals, especially his chocolate lab, Leroy.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Kimberly Sue Swanger-Grove and her husband, Doug, of Bellefonte, Stacy Lynn Swanger-Snyder and her husband, Eric, of State College, Michelle Lee Swanger, of Newport, N.C., Craig W. Swanger and his wife, Kathy, of Millheim, and Amy Swanger-Grove and her husband, Ted, of Centre Hall; his siblings, Evelyn Ritter and her husband, Barton, of Julian, Elmer Swanger Jr. and his wife, Lois, of Boalsburg, Donald Swanger and his wife, Barb, of Julian, Charles Swanger and his wife, Roberta, of Bellefonte, and Gerald Swanger and his wife, Kathy, of Bedford; as well as nine grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. A funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., with Pastor Bryan McNally officiating. Burial will be in Pine Hall Cemetery following the service.