Robert "Bob" Norman Swenson

A life-long resident of Walla Walla, Robert Norman Swenson passed away on Tuesday, April 17, at the age of 93.

Born to Walter and Olive Swenson, Bob was a World War II veteran, golfer, and home-delivery milkman. He attended Dixie and Jefferson grade schools, graduating in absentia from Walla Walla High School in 1943.

From 1942 to 1945, Bob served in the Army Air Corps as a radio operator and gunner assigned to the 77th Bomb Squadron, stationed in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. His outfit was the first to return from the Pacific Theater when the war ended. They received a Presidential Citation for action against Japanese forces over the Kurile Islands. From 1946 to 1967, Bob served as Company Commander in the Walla Walla National Guard, retiring with the rank of Major.

Before joining the military, Bob caddied at the Walla Walla Country Club, starting at age nine. As a child, he rode around the golf course on a lawnmower with his father, the club groundskeeper. He and his fellow caddies competed on the Wa-Hi golf team. In later years, Bob became known as “The Legend” among his fellow golfers.

From 1955 to 1987, Bob delivered milk for Young’s Dairy and Carnation. Farmers would leave their porch lights on and their doors unlocked so he could place their delivery inside their homes in the wee hours of the morning. He knew every road, all the farmers, and landmarks, from Clyde to Weston-Athena over the state line, from Camp Wooten to Umatilla, up Mill Creek and down the rural routes. At the time of his retirement, Bob was the last rural delivery milkman in Walla Walla County.

Bob married Dorothy Jean “Dodie” McKeehan on February 9, 1946. They had two daughters, Linda and Virginia. Dodie predeceased Bob in 1983. He married Betty Gene Gardner on November 9, 1991. Betty predeceased him in 2014. Bob was also predeceased by his brother-in-law Dwane Hirschel in 1983, his niece Karen Hirschel in 1992, and his sister Dorothy Atkinson in 2003.

Bob is survived by daughters Linda Baker and husband Randy of Dallas, Oregon, and Virginia Leinart and husband Tom of Lolo, Montana; sister Phyliss Hirschel of Kennewick; nephew Jim Hirschel and wife Satomi of Benton City; grandchildren Gage Baker and wife Meaghan of Portland, Oregon, Mary Leinart of Seattle, and Ellie Leonard and husband Joey of Lolo, Montana; great-grandchildren Maddie and Griffin Baker of Portland, Oregon, and Charlotte, Max, and Calvin Leonard of Lolo, Montana.

The family would like to thank everyone who cared for Bob at Odd Fellows Home, as well as the friends and neighbors who looked out for him during his final years, especially his golfing buddy, Ronnie Smith.

A graveside military service will be held on Tuesday, April 24, at 1 p.m., at the Ivy Cemetery in Prescott.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a contribution to your favorite charity.