In Memoriam: Stephen Louis Swanson, MD (October 5, 1944 - October 26, 2025)

WA - Steve, a respected E.R. physician, beloved husband, father and grandfather died suddenly yet peacefully on Whidbey Island while in the midst of a wood-working project ... with a zest for life until the end.

Born in Seattle to Marj and Larry Swanson, Steve grew up in the University District. He attended Lakeside School, the University of Washington and the University of Washington School of Medicine, graduating in 1970. He met his wife Sandra (Hoefer) at the U.W. and they married in 1969.

Steve interned at Kaiser Foundation Hospital in San Francisco and went into Emergency Medicine with board certification when it became a specialty. He served in the WA Army National Guard. The majority of his professional career was with the Emergency Department at Group Health Cooperative (now Kaiser Permanente) where he enjoyed the camaraderie of his valued colleagues.

Steve and Sandy raised two sons, Paul and Matthew in Seattle, Kirkland and Sammamish. Steve loved the outdoors and was the family expedition leader, summiting Rainier and other WA peaks, sea-kayaking Haida Gwai, back-packing, hiking the WAVE, X-C and alpine skiing (a lifetime member of the National Ski Patrol). The ultimate handyman and woodsman, he milled lumber for friends and family, built a timber frame barn, grew vegetables and maintained hiking trails. In semi-retirement he was the ship's physician for the Holland America- Windstar line. He and Sandy explored beautiful European and Caribbean sights when he was off-duty.

Steve is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sandy, his sons Paul of Portland, OR and Matthew (Erica) of Seattle, granddaughters Riley and Greta, brother Stan (Lynn) and many cousins, in-laws and friends.

Life has to end. Love doesn't.

Memorial contributions in Steve's honor may be made to Washington Trails or Cascade PBS.

A gathering to celebrate Steve is being planned for early spring.

Seattle Times Obituary can be found here