Dale Patrick Swoboda

Dale Patrick Swoboda of Columbia, MO, passed away on January 20, 2025. He was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in St, Louis, MO, on March 17, 1948. He graduated from Mercy High School in 1966 and earned a Bachelor’s in Economics from the University of Missouri in St. Louis. He earned both Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Public Administration from Arizona State University in the late 1980s.

Dale and his wife, Georgalu Price Swoboda, met at the Magic House in St. Louis in 1981 and began their life of adventure on June 11,1982 when they were married in Granbury, TX.

Dale spent 16 years as a professor, teaching Master’s level Public Administration for University of Missouri Columbia (1992-1997), then moved on to Walden University, a nationally accredited online university based in Minneapolis, MN, from which he retired in 2018 as Professor Emeritus. In 2009, Dale and Georgalu published a textbook “Managing Non-Profit Financial and Fiscal Operations”. Other highlights in Dale’s career include U.S. Army Military Police and Chaplains Assistant (1968-1972), Project Manager at East-West Gateway Council of Governments in St Louis, and Budget Coordinator at the Missouri Department of Higher Education in Jefferson City, MO.

Dale’s faith was strong and very important to him. He was a devoted member of Woodcrest Chapel in Columbia, MO, where he enjoyed his involvement in many small groups, including Welcoming, Men’s Ministries, and Children’s Ministries. He was a true-blue Mizzou Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals fan and he loved watching and participating in sports. He was an avid reader – especially the western series “Longmire”, he played the harmonica, and sang in Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group’s “Music-in-Me Singers”. He traveled all fifty states, with a particular affinity for Hawaii and Alaska, and his international travels included Canada, Jamaica, Mexico, and multiple European countries. His time in the Army sent him to Georgia, California, and Turkey. His community involvement included parenting groups at schools, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Boy Scouts.

Dale’s love for Georgalu and his family and friends knew no bounds. His children include daughters Sara Shaw and Emily Swoboda of St. Louis, MO; son and daughter-in-law Geoff and Lindsay Swoboda of Salem, OR, and granddaughters Amelia Shaw of St. Louis, MO, and River Swoboda of Salem, OR. Dale’s siblings include Bob Swoboda and wife Conchita of San Antonio, TX; Steve Swoboda and wife Chris of Boise, ID; Renee Wilding and husband Dick of Canton, GA; Janet Brown of Canyon Lake, TX; brother-in-law Stan Hogan of Canyon Lake, TX; sister-in-law Eileen of St. Louis, MO, and many, many nieces and nephews.

Gone too soon from the Swoboda family are Dale’s daughter Julie Swoboda of St. Louis, MO; parents Maurice and Lucille Swoboda of Washington, MO; and siblings Tom and Joan, of St. Louis, Donald of Washington, MO, and Karen Hogan of San Antonio, TX.

Rosary Service will be held Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the Cambridge Place Community Center, 1925 Scarborough, Columbia, Missouri. Words of comfort and support may be shared with the family at the Visitation, which will be Saturday, August 2, 2025, 1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Cambridge Place Community Center. A celebration of life will follow at 2:00 p.m.

Donations to the Columbia Parkinson's Support Group in memory of Dale can be mailed to 1311 Vintage Drive, Columbia, MO 65203.