Swackhamer, Ronald P.
Ronald P. Swackhamer Decorated Vietnam Veteran Ronald P. Swackhamer, 60, a resident of Ft. Mill, S.C. and formerly of Jamestown, N.Y., died unexpectedly on Thursday January 1, 2009 at the Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. He was born in Bradford, Pa. on March 17, 1948 a son of Charlotte Hopkins Swackhamer of Erie and the late Alfred H. Swackhamer. He was a 1966 graduate of Corry High School and a 1969 graduate of Bryant-Stratton Business College in Buffalo, N.Y. He moved to South Carolina from Jamestown, N.Y. in 2007. Ron was semi-retired and had worked over 20 years as a supervisor for Kwik Fill & Red Apple for the United Refining Co. Most recently, he was working at the golf course of the Firethorne Country Club in Waxhaw, N.C. He enjoyed hunting, golfing, crafts, and attending craft shows. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and was awarded twice the Bronze Star for valor, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Air Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. The presentation for the Bronze Star-Valor read "providing instant security and recovery of downed pilots following the hostile downing of a helicopter gunship" and for the Air Medal read "aerial flight support in helicopter gunships as a door gunner". In addition to his mother, survivors include his wife of 37 years Linda Miano Swackhamer;
a daughter, Shaunda Swackhamer of New York City; two sons, Todd Swackhamer and his wife Alicia of Monroe, N.C. and Jon Swackhamer of New York City;
two brothers, Gary Swackhamer and his wife Katie of West Chester, Pa. and Timothy Swackhamer and his wife Joni of Edinboro;
a sister, Julie Culver and her husband Denny of Corry; a grandson, Radek Swackhamer and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home, 5000 Wattsburg Road, Erie, corner of East Gore Road & Pine Ave., Tuesday 7 to 9 PM and on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until service time there at 11:00 AM officiated by Rev. Rick Crocker, Pastor of the First Alliance Church. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Pine Grove Cemetery.
Erie Times-News from 1/5/2009 - 1/6/2009,
First Alliance Church."
Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home,