Bob Swaninger was born at home in Dayton, OH in 1924. He attended local schools, and at Lincoln Junior High, he started his prep school career in athletics in the eighth grade, winning the home room basketball championship. After the next two years at Steele, its students were transferred either to Stivers or to the newly opened Wilbur Wright. Luckily for him and for Stivers, Bob entered Stivers going full steam.
Bob made the most of his two years at Stivers. He lettered both years in football, playing a hard-nosed center position and winning honorable mention All-City. In basketball, Bob was the starting guard noted for his steady defense. He added track / cross country his senior year, earning three varsity letters that year. Baseball was not considered a varsity sport in that era, but he managed to play that sport for one of the business sponsored teams in those days. However, swimming seemed to be his best individual sport. He swam for the strong Central YMCA swimming team team, winning seven medals in various competitions.
This tireless athlete was also active in the social and leadership activities in school. In both his junior and senior years he was elected treasurer of his class and was an elected officer in the Ten Tigers social club. However, as with many of his classmates during those war years, upon graduation military service beckoned, putting an end to his scholastic athletics. Bob became a decorated WWII combat veteran. He served in the U.S. Army as a parachutist in the 82nd Airborne Division from 1942-1946.
After his return home, Bob entered Denison University, then graduated from the Ohio State Law School. He practiced law the rest of his life and served in the Prosecutor’s Office for many years until his death in 2003. He never lost his love for sports and remained active in the DYAC, playing hours of handball at that same Central Y. His wife, Ginny, predeceased him. His two children, Bob Jr. and Kathy Buck, and their children survive; as does his second wife, Nancy.