Our friend and fellow Rotarian Arn Swanson passed away peacefully on his 89th birthday, Saturday, September 29, 2007.
Arn was born in Red Deer, Alberta. The family move to British Columbia and Arn studied at U.B.C., graduating with an degree in Arts. He was determined to pursue a career in medicine and graduated with his M.D. from Montreal's McGill University in 1943. Arn married Joan in 1943 and volunteered for military service. He served as a Medical Officer at Camp Borden, Manitoba.
Dr. Swanson did post-graduate work in psychiatry at Essondale, B.C. before embarking on a long and most distinguished career in hospital administration that took him to Toronto, Ottawa, London, Ont. and Saskatoon. He was the first Executive Director of the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon which he opened with then Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas in May 1955. The RUH was a first-class hospital which served the Province of Saskatchewan as a leader in acute-care and trauma services. Arn was well-loved by all at the RUH and was quietly proud of the fact that the janitor was his friend. Arn was a member of the Board of Directors of the Saskatchewan Hospital Assn. representing larger city hospitals, for a number of years and was president in 1964. He was awarded the S.H.A. Smith-Walshaw award in 1965, an award given for distinguished service to the hospitals of Saskatchewan.
Arn's professional stature was recognized when he was elected President of the Canadian Council of Hospital Administrators and later the first Canadian President of the American College of Hospital Administrators. He served as the Executive Director of the Canadian Council on Hospital Accreditation in Ottawa immediately before his retirement in 1982.
Arn and Joan retired to White Rock, B.C. where he continued his Rotary life by becoming Club President in 1988-1989. They relocated to Calgary in 1991 where Arn joined our Club. Arn and Joan are remembered for enjoying bridge with Club members and Partners. Arn also did a very professional job with the Sick and Visiting Committee for several years. He was a Rotarian with exemplary attendance for over 50 years. In April 2006 Arn was made an Honorary member of our Club. Jim Watson and Howard Miller organized a birthday party for Arn on September 27. His daughter Wendy, grandson Richard and Richard's wife Lynn joined about 12 Rotarians to celebrated Arn's upcoming 89th birthday. He was thrilled and was in good spirits. He passed away on his birthday two days later.
St. Peter's Anglican Church was also a big part of Arn's life. He was predeceased by his wife Joan and eldest son Stuart and is survived by five children, their spouses and scores of grandchildren.
Arn penned the following poignant note to his family shortly before his passing, thanks to Wendy for sharing it with us:
It is time for me to go
I am grateful for a wonderful life
And that each of you were part of it
My life was full of trials and accomplishments
And God gave me time to find out it’s mystery
That by prayer and thanksgiving
we can discover ‘Grace’
In the last years of my life,
this took a unique expression
I learned to love to ‘dance with my walker’
If you have not met Him...please do
Till we meet again.
Arnold L. Swanson
Rest in peace Arn, your wonderful life touched many and you leave the world a better place.