Swenson, Charles Allen "Chuck" was born in Minneapolis, MN on 1/12/1951 to Charles H. Swenson and Gloria E. Rommel. After suffering a stroke on January 4th, Chuck passed away on Friday, January 29, 2021 in Phoenix, AZ, at the age of 70. He graduated from Alexander Ramsey H. S. Roseville in 1969, and went on to graduate from the Univ. of MN where he met his future wife, Leslie Ann Selgeby. They would marry in 1972 and have two beautiful children, Matthew ('75) and Michelle ('77). Chuck began his career in aviation in 1972 to become a Naval Officer and a Gentleman in Pensacola, FL and went on to earn his Wings in Corpus Christi, TX in 1975. Starting out as a P-3 Orion pilot, commander, and mission commander in Brunswick, ME, he would eventually end his Navy career as a test pilot in Pensacola, FL before being hired as a commercial pilot for Eastern Airlines in 1979. Chuck left Eastern to join Northwest Airlines in 1989 and ultimately retired as a Delta Airlines pilot in 2006. Chuck and his family would call many places home during his career as an aviator. Wherever they went, Chuck would take with him his perpetual love for gardening. His final transfer to Minnesota, where he and Leslie would spend 20 years on 10 acres in Prior Lake, allowed him to expand his love for gardening and also pick up hunting, fishing, and skeet shooting. He even spent a few years raising a few peacocks and as many as 500 pheasants each summer in his many fly pens. Having lived life to its fullest in Minnesota, Chuck would eventually make his final move to New River, AZ in 2011, where he created his own little "Oasis" in the desert and truly enjoyed the good life. He is survived and missed by his loving wife Leslie, son Matt (Jennifer), daughter Michelle (Chris), grandchildren Jackson, Michael, Soren, and Sydney, step-grandchildren Tyler (Kayla) and Mandy, brother Jeff (Louise), sisters-in-law Julie (Todd), Lee (Henry), and Libby (Mark), many nieces and nephews, his aunt Simone, and many cousins. He is preceded in death by parents Charles H. and Gloria and parents-in-law Vernon and June. Chuck's wishes were that he be cremated and a private memorial will be held with immediate family. All who wish to honor his life are encouraged to plant a hydrangea in his honor, as that was one of his favorite plants.

Published on February 7, 2021