of Little Rock, AR
February 22, 1938 - April 11, 2014
Dr. Robert Thomas Swindell , 76, of Little Rock lost his courageous war with cancer on Friday evening, April 11, 2014. Born in Greenfield, TN to Jewel (Overton) and Chester Swindell on February 22, 1938, Dr. Bob's quick wit and love for people won him a special place in the hearts of those he encountered.
Bob attended Messick High School in Memphis, TN where he proudly served in ROTC. His love for our great country ran deep. His undergraduate work was completed at Memphis State University, and he earned his doctorate from the University of South Carolina. Post-Doctoral work was done at Iowa State University. He was a member of the American Chemical Society, Royal Society of Chemistry, Emeritus of University of Arkansas, and Alpha Omega Alpha.
He embraced his Chickasaw heritage and co-founded Minority Access to Sciences and Math. He was the founder of American Indian Renaissance Organization. He co-founded the Maumelle Arts Council and served as Chairman of Department of Chemistry at Tennessee Technological University. He was also Chairman of Department of Chemistry at University of Arkansas Little Rock, where he was awarded the University Department of Excellence Award. Bob was sent as liaison to medical schools in Mexico and also to England for an International Environmental Conference.
Bob was a beloved coach, professor, and husband.
He loved sports. The softball field at Tennessee Technological University even bears his name. Under his direction, two women's softball national championships were won. He coached college softball, All Junior Pro Basketball, and Little League Football.
As a professor, he was honored numerous times as Professor of the Year and is in the Who's Who of American Professors.
He is married to Joanne; father to Melinda Swindell Davenport; grandfather to Allyson George and Mariah Pitts (Eric); and great-grandfather to Riley Jo Young. He is also survived by his father-in-law, Reverend Daniel Swim (Marsha); sisters-in-law, Connie Corney and Karolyn LeBlanc; brothers-in-law, Brian Keddy and Danny Swim; nieces; nephews; and a host of cousins and friends. He will be especially missed by his chocolate lab, Dahli.
Bob loved God: he was a man of high principle. His life philosophy: ''All of my life I have been blessed. God has always opened doors and has done special things for me - things for which I am not worthy.''
The family would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Donald Bodenner, head and neck oncologist; Dr. Charles Smith, family doctor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; and to the Baptist Health physical and occupational therapy teams. Thanks also to our wonderful neighbors and friends who helped Bob through this difficult time in his life.
Funeral service will be at 1:00 P.M., Thursday, April 17, 2014 at Christian Life Center, 12923 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72211, Phone: (501)224-1663. The family will receive friends from 5:00 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home Chapel, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, AR 72211, Phone: (501)224-8300. Interment will be at Highland Cemetery, Greenfield, TN at 12:00 P.M., Friday, April 18, 2014.
Memorials may be made to Keetowah United First Band of Cherokees, ''Reinstituting Cultural Values for Native Americans,'' (write check to Summer Youth Camp Fund) Box 746, Tahlequah, OK 74465 or to Tennessee Technological University, Swindell/Jackson Fund for Sciences and Mathematics, 1 William L. Jones Drive, Cookeville, TN 38505, Phone: (931) 372-3101.
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27 Condolence(s)
Judy Bussell
Monday, April 21, 2014
Melinda, I am so sorry for your loss, your dad was an exceptional man. I treasured the times I worked with him at TTU. He made the times interesting, and very enjoyable. He will be missed.
Marcia Vaccario
Friday, April 18, 2014
I graduated from Messick High School with Bob. I am sorry to learn of his death. He was a very nice and caring person. I know he will be missed.
Saints of Ripples Unted Pentecostal Church
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Joann:
It was with sadness that we learned of your dear husband's passing and want to extend our deepest sympathy to you and to his family. We have been praying for you that the Lord would comfort and strengthen you now and in the days ahead. "God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
May your feel the Presence of the Comforter with you as you walk this dark valley.
With sympathy, love and prayer,
Bro. & Sis. McCarty and the saints of Ripples UPC.
Jennifer Williams
Thursday, April 17, 2014
So very sorry for your loss. Bob was a special man.
Danny
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Joanne,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Danny, Penny and family.
Wendell Redmond
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
I am saddened to here of the lost of this kind, warm, and caring man. I had the pleasure of working with him on the Junior Teams summer program at UALR a number of years ago.
John and Cathy Webb
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Bob loved the Lord ! He was a loving husban, father, grandfather,a wonderful teacher, coach,and was a blessing to all he met. Bob was and is my brother friend!
I will miss bob very much. I take comfort in that I know that bob is sitting at the great council of our Lord Jesus Christ! Joanne you and the family are in my prayers! God Bless!
Chris McGowan
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Bob was the best mentor I ever had. He taught me how to be a professor and a leader. And, he was a good freind. I will miss his sense of humor. He once let a dozen bullfrogs loose in my office and then came to my class to tell me I had a phone call. Jeff, I also remember that trip to Toronto with fondness; maybe the best ACS trip I ever went on. Rest in peace "Uncle Bob".
Rita Hessley
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
My sincerest condolences to Bob's family. Bob was a mentor - and friend- when I started my own career as a chemistry prof. at Tenn. Tech. before we both moved on to other places. Obviously a man of huge generosity, I, too, remember him fondly. No doubt he will be missed by many.
Barbie
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Joanne and family,
Please remember that your loss is shared by those who care and understand.
Bob was always so kind and a very special fellow.
Caring thoughts are with you.
love, Charlie, Barbie and Callie Stutts
Mary Wells
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
I have so many fond memories of Dr Swindell. He was a wonderful teacher who really cared about students. He encouraged me to reach for higher goals and helped pave the path through his teaching and example. Thoughts and prayers for his family.
Susan Harris
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Joanne,
I love u and praying for u! I will miss Bob a lot!
Jerry A Darsey
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
A truly dear friend and colleague. I learned much under his guidance and council when he was chairman of the chemistry department at UALR. I will also miss greatly our conversations on the "problems of the day", especially in the political world.
You will be truly missed!
Lizabeth Self Mullens
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Melinda, my thoughts are with you as you remember and cherish the wonderful ways of and times with your father. He loved you so very much and was so very proud of you. I will keep you and all of your family in my prayers.
Erin Cates
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
I knew Dr. Swindell for many years, while I was an undergraduate at UALR and then after I took a position at the university. He taught me Organic Chemistry, and I have thought about him often over the past few years. He was a wonderful man and will be dearly missed.
Fay Ferrell MD; PhD
Monday, April 14, 2014
I grieve the loss to so many of this wonderful man and inspirational teacher. As an instructor at TTU '72-'73, I had the good fortune to take three quarters of Organic Chemistry in his classes in preparation to return to graduate school. From reactions of methane to the unwinding of the DNA double helix, he made it fascinating, and his integrity and humor were frosting on the cake. His teachings greatly influenced my later academic and professional endeavors. With fond memories of sitting in his classes in: SEAT #4!
Joe & Dona Burton
Monday, April 14, 2014
Dear Joanne:
We are deeply saddened by Bob's passing...
Please accept our sincere apology for not being there for you.
You are in our prayers, we have lost a dear friend.
Our sympathy to you and the family, in this time of grief..
Joe & Dona
Estelle Gilbreth
Monday, April 14, 2014
New Dr. Bob, only a short time. But, his smile and humor will always be remembered by me. He surely loved people.
Helen Maynard
Monday, April 14, 2014
All my love and sympathy goes out to family at the loss of a beloved husband, father, gradfather, and coach. "Doc Swindell" touched the lives of so many people in many different ways. He loved coaching and being involved in sports. My life was changed forever due to the love, careing, and support of a wonderful man I had the to privilege of knowing. You will always be missed but thought about often, especially on a hot summer day, passing softball fields. I can see you still out there running plays with all your "Angels" .
Audra Gray
Monday, April 14, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Audra Gray, Mitchell Moro, Kelli Ward, Nicholas, Ashley and Spencer Ward.
Minnie Walker
Monday, April 14, 2014
So sorry to hear about the passing of Dr. Swindell. Please accept my condolences. We look forward to a time when all those in the memorial tombs will hear His voice and come out.........John 5:28-29
Minnie Walker
Monday, April 14, 2014
So sorry to hear about the passing of Dr. Swindell. Please accept my condolences. We look forward to a time when all those in the memorial tombs will hear His voice and come out.........John 5:28-29
Mark Lowery
Monday, April 14, 2014
I was so privileged to receive the help and advice of Dr. Swindell in achieving election to the Arkansas House of Representatives. He was a shining example of integrity and a wise counselor. I can only imagine the impact he had on his students and on the members of his softball teams.
My prayers are with Joanne and all of Bob's family members during this difficult time.
Sylvia and John McGee
Monday, April 14, 2014
Go Angles!
Jody Applewhite
Monday, April 14, 2014
Doctor Bob will be greatly missed. His quick smile and his humor will always be remembered.
Jeff Boles
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Dr. Bob was a wonderful man. I knew him as a student at Tenn Tech in the 1980's. I got to know him best on a trip to an ACS meeting in 1988 just before I graduated with my masters degree and got married to my wife Tammy (who was also a student of Dr. Bob). We went to Toronto Canada on that trip. He was so much fun to travel with across the country! He was always kind and really enjoyed teaching and research. Dr. Bob and I both got our PhD's at South Carolina (many years apart). He was very excited when I followed in his footsteps to USC! He'll be missed by many.
Scott Helms
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Blessed is the man who walks with the Lord. His rest will be rest indeed.