Einar Swanson

Einar Swanson, 94, passed peacefully on May 21st in DeSoto, Kansas. Einar is survived by his wife of 73 years, Arlene, and his son, Craig and daughter in-law, Cheryn. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark, his brothers, Oscar and Darryl and his sister Alice.

Einar was born in Bird Island, Minnesota, on October 8th, 1926. He was raised on the family farm by his father Carl, and mother, Danish immigrant, Ellen. He graduated from Hector High School in 1944 and was accepted into the Army Air Corp.

He went to the University of Minnesota on the GI bill and received his Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1947.

Einar went to work for Northern States Power.  In the late 1950s, he studied Nuclear Engineering at Argone National Laboratories in Chicago.  In 1960, he was assigned as assistant superintendent for the construction and testing of the experimental Pathfinder Nuclear Power Plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  In 1966, he left the utility and began work for Black and Veatch, Consulting Engineers in Kansas City.  He soon became a partner.
Throughout his active life, Einar was an avid hunter and fisherman, planning many wilderness hunting and fishing excursions.
During his retirement Einar and Arlene lived in Las Cruses, New Mexico; Henderson, Nevada and Leawood, Kansas.  They enjoyed traveling, he continued his hunting and fishing trips, and he enjoyed practicing golf.
In a final gesture of generosity Einar donated his body to the university of Kansas.
There will be a private family service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to --

The Museum of Danish America
2212 Washington Street
Elk Horn, Iowa, 51531

or

The School of the Ozarks

1 Opportunity Ave

Point Lookout, Missouri, 65726