Robert William Swain Jr.

Bob was a graduate of Lawrence University, the University of Michigan Law School, and Boston College. Bob served in the U.S. Air Force, and retired as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer (LTC). Among his many assignments, Bob was stationed in West Berlin at Tempelhof Airport during the Cold War, as part of the American Sector occupation and defense.

After completing his active-duty military career, Bob continued his service in the Wisconsin Air National Guard. Over the following decades, Bob built a highly successful legal career in private practice, and eventually transitioned into senior leadership and pro bono service focused primarily on civil rights, litigation, employment labor law, personal injury, and family law, with several prominent Fox Valley firms. He handled several high-profile appellate and civil liberties cases and served as the president of the State Bar of Wisconsin's Senior Lawyers Division. Bob also actively volunteered with the ABA Military Pro Bono Project, representing deployed service members in domestic legal matters.

Bob shared his life and travels with his beloved wife Marge for 64 years until her passing in 2021. Bob is preceded in death by his brother, Richard O. Swain, and his son, Michael Scott Swain. He is survived by his loving family including his daughter, Barri Swain Wautlet (Robert), his grandson, Zachary Robert Wautlet (Jennifer), and 3 great grandchildren, Isaac Robert, Caiden Michael and Colton Scott, and a nephew, Alex Swain.

Bob’s keen sense of curiosity and wanderlust stoked a life long passion for travel and exploration. Bob toured much of the country on his motorcycle, often with his son, or in a convertible roadster with Marge, and kept detailed diaries of his travels. Bob was a long-time master’s swimmer, enjoyed volunteering for local and collegiate swim competitions, and loved scuba diving in Cozumel.

Bob also had a great appreciation for music and played baritone sax with the Fox Valley Swing Band for many years. Bob was a dedicated blood donor and advocate for veterans, often driving for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Van Program and the VA Veterans Transportation Service. Bob and Marge also enjoyed going on afternoon picnics along the Fox River and Lake Winnebago with their beloved Yorkies, Brutus, BJ and Lizzie.

Bob will be laid to rest with his beloved Marge at his family plot in Bethel Presbyterian Cemetery, Ixonia, Wisconsin, in the springtime.

In lieu of a memorial service, the family requests donations in Bob's memory to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or the American Cancer Society.

A special thank you to the caring staff of Chandler Health Services rehabilitation, and Remington of Yardley assisted living, whose steadfast support is greatly appreciated by Bob’s family.