Clifford O. Swanson

Clifford O. Swanson went to his heavenly home on January 5, 2025 at the age of 96. He was born in the Swedish Hospital, Brooklyn NY on May 22, 1928. He was predeceased by his mother, Ida Sofia (Carlson) Swanson and father, Oscar Walfred Swanson, who were both naturalized Swedish immigrants.

He was the loving and much loved husband of Lois (Graham) Swanson for 73 years. They were married in Park Street Church in Boston in September 1951. In addition to being survived by his wife , he is also survived by his two sons, Bradley Clifford Swanson and Bruce Edward Swanson and their families.

Clifford graduated at the top of his Fort Hamilton High School/Brooklyn class of 400. On academic scholarship, he graduated from M.I.T. in 1950 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Years later he earned an MBA degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, N.J. Following graduation he joined the staffs of M.I.T.'s Laboratory for Nuclear Science and Engineering and the Lincoln Laboratory.

He joined a company in northern NJ and led a team in the design of a high precision gyroscope (gyro) that was applied to the navy's Subroc missile. The same gyro was used by NASA in deep-space planetary missions. Promoted to Engineering Manager, he led an exceptional team in the design and manufacture of a new class of navigation hardware that was utilized in many spacecraft and top secret military applications. He was promoted to Director of Space Programs, one of the companies three program directors, where he supervised all of the company's work in outer space, including the Space Shuttles. His company's hardware had the reputation of being on time, exceeding design requirements, and operating for much longer that required. This has allowed Voyager I and II to extend their missions into deep space. His team's hardware also enabled the Apollo 13 astronauts to return safely after an explosion disabled their main module. He presented many technical papers at conferences as well as briefings to leaders in government and military in the US, Europe and Asia.

God blessed him with an intellect not just for his working career but to use in His service as well. God used him in leadership positions on the boards of a major evangelical church in northern New Jersey, and for volunteering in the Lancaster office of Wycliffe Bible Translators. In Lancaster he was a member of Calvary Church. Family, worship, and service in the local church occupied much of his free time. He also volunteered in many capacities at Willow Valley. Burial in a graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family. 

If desired, contributions may be made in his memory to the Matthias J. Brunner Nursing Education Fund at the Willow Valley Retirement Communities or to the Water Street Mission in Lancaster.

Services have been entrusted to DeBord Snyder Funeral Home and Crematory 141 E. Orange St. Lancaster PA 17602