Robert Stevens Swart

Born March 8,1933 to Willem and Bessie Burton Swart of Castle Hayne, NC, Bobby was the fourth of five sons. Bobby grew up “on the hill” as it was called surrounded by many cousins with whom he worked before and after school in the family dairy.

He attended Wrightsboro Elementary School and then New Hanover High School where he was active in ROTC, played football and was even in the Latin club.  Having proposed to his high school sweetheart, Bettye Jean Rivenbark at her Junior/Senior Prom they were married September 12,1953 while he was serving a 2-year term in the Army. They adopted their first child Candace Jean (Candy) Swart in 1958 while he was employed at CP&L Sutton Plant and living in Wrightsboro. After taking classes at night at Wilmington College the decision was made to move to Cary, NC to pursue an engineering degree in Hydraulics at NC-State. Bobby graduated in 1964 with a Bachelors degree and accepted a job with the Army Corp of Engineers moving back to Wilmington, NC. It was at this time that he and Bettye adopted their second child, Robert Stevens (Robbie) Swart, Jr. In 1966 James Daniel (Danny) Swart was adopted and then was joined in 1968 by Melissa Dawn (Missy) Swart completing their family.

During his 32 years with the Army Corp of Engineers, Bobby attended Bethany Presbyterian Church where he was a member of the choir and an Elder. He served as Moderator of the Presbytery for about 19 years. During these years he became a Certified Lay Pastor. He served at Harmony Presbyterian Church at Kerr Station in Sampson County, NC for 16 years. He next served at McClure Presbyterian Church in Castle Hayne, NC for 5 years and at Potts Memorial Presbyterian in Willard, NC for 18 years. Bobby spent many hours in service to those around him filling in as Lay Pastor to other congregations in the Presbytery including his home church Bethany Presbyterian and ministering to those in nursing homes and visiting shut-ins. Retiring from the ministry only last year, he performed many weddings and presided at many funerals for family and friends.

Bobby touched numerous lives around him through the years, not the least of which were the youth lucky enough to have him as a coach on Pop Warner Ball Teams during the 18 years he volunteered.  His love of children and youth was an ever-present characteristic running thru his life.                                                                                  

Bobby will be remembered by his many nieces and nephews for the mischievous twinkle in his eye and his ability to tease them unmercifully, yet always leaving them wanting more. He embodied the Swart devilish sense of humor tempered by the love and affection he so generously showed to those around him. 

Bobby was preceded in death by the love of his life, wife Bettye Jean Rivenbark Swart, his parents Willem and Bessie Burton Swart. and two of his 4 brothers, Willem Dirk (Billy) Swart, Jr and John (Johnny)Swart. Leaving this life before him was also his son Robert Stevens (Robbie) Swart, Jr, a grandson Zachary Houck and a granddaughter Meghan Houck.    

Bobby is survived by two brothers, James Edward (Eddie) Swart and Jerome Shaw (Joe) Swart. He also leaves behind daughter Candace (Candy) Houck, son James Daniel (Danny) Swart, and daughter Melissa (Missy) and husband Paul Harris, grandchildren Stephanie Swart, Holden Swart, Jade Atkinson, Ashley Harris and Kerri Harris, six great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and other family members. He also leaves behind sister-in-law Barbara Rivenbark, brother-in-law Billy Rivenbark and brother-in-law Charles Rivenbark as well as other members of his wife's family of which he was fond. Remembered in the days ahead with sadness there will also be many smiles and much laughter as his life among us is celebrated as he would wish it to be. He will live in many hearts forever.

Tuesday March 9, 2021 at 11am Robert Stevens Swart will be laid to rest beside his sweetheart, Bettye in a graveside service at Bethany Presbyterian Church Cemetery located at 2237 Castle Hayne Rd, Wilmington, N.C. 28401 

The service will be presided over by Rev. Aaron R Doll of Bethany Presbyterian Church, Rev. Mike Lewis (retired) from Wrightsboro Baptist Church and by Elder Pete Wildeboer of Pike-Rocky Point Presbyterian Church in Pender County. It will be preceded by a private family visitation at 10am also at the church.  

For those wishing to attend, please abide by safety standards and wear masks. 

In leu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be sent to: Bethany Presbyterian Memorial Fund, 2237 Castle Hayne Rd, Wilmington, NC  28401.