Swanson, Richard 'Dick' F.

CEDAR RAPIDS - Richard “Dick” F. Swanson, 76, died Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010, at his home. Memorial services: 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home, 520 Wilson Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids. Visitation: today from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Celebration of life officiated by Bernie Franks, John Malone and Barb Furman.

Dick was born July 4, 1934, in Elgin, Ill., the son of Henry and Gertrude Swanson. He attended Washburn High School in Minnesota. He married Merlene Van Meter on June 13, 1970, in Marengo, Iowa. Dick attended school at the University of Iowa (Oakdale) for chemical dependency counseling. He devoted his life to helping others for 17 years as the director of St. Luke's Chemical Dependency Services in Cedar Rapids.

Dick loved fishing and being with family and friends.

Dick is survived by his wife of 40 years, Merlene; sons, Todd (Shelley) of Savage, Minn., Toby (Christine) of Minneapolis and Kristofer (Dana) of Luverne, Minn.; stepchildren, Rick Van Meter (Darlene) of Cedar Rapids, Terry Van Meter (Nancy) of Alton, Ill., Karla Hankemeier (Jerry) of Mechanicsville, Jeff (Gerry) of Cedar Rapids and Scott (Katrina) of Marengo; 22 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and his two faithful companions, Daisy and Donnie.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Spike; and his beloved dog, Millie.

A special thank you to the staff of Special K Transport, St. Luke's Home Health Care, Hospice and all of his friends and co-workers. A special message to all of my friends and family, “One Day at a Time.”

Memorials may be directed to the family at 1310 F Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at under obituaries.