Dr. Richard Conrad Swanson

Dr. Richard Conrad Swanson, 76, of Fernandina Beach, Florida and formerly of Vassar, passed away December 14 at his Florida home.

Richard was born on May 2, 1933 in Caro, Michigan, the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. Ewald C. and Alma M. (Weidemann) Swanson. On November 29, 1958 he married the former Josephine H. Osmun of Pontiac.

Richard spent his youth in Vassar, Michigan where he freelanced as a photographer and graduated from Vassar High School. He is an alumnus of Albion College and earned a D.D.S. degree at the University of Michigan. He practiced dentistry in Lake Worth, Florida until his retirement in 1995. During his retirement he and his wife divided their time between their homes in Newland, North Carolina and Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Photography was Richard’s life-long passion; his award-winning pictures appeared in several exhibitions and publications, and the Bullard Sanford Memorial Library in Vassar holds a collection of his work. He also enjoyed kayaking and hiking.

Surviving family include his wife, Jo; sons, Michael, Mark, and Matthew; grandson, Stephen; daughter-in-law, Rebecca; his sisters, Shirley Smith and Margery Haite; and several nieces and nephews.

There are no services planned. Those desiring may direct memorial contributions to their local Hospice organization or to the National Hospice Foundation (http://www.nationalhospicefoundation.org/).