John Marion Swihart
1923 - 2007
John M. Swihart, retired Corporate Vice President and officer of The Boeing Company, dedicated nearly six decades to advancements in aeronautical engineering and was world renowned for his achievements in the aviation industry. Mr. Swihart died Saturday, March 24, 2007, at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, California after suffering a severe stroke at his winter home in Borrego Springs, California. He was 83.
John Swihart was a longtime resident of Mercer Island, Washington and lived in Medina, Washington. He is survived by his wife, Gail G. Swihart; his son Dick and his wife Sharon; his son Thomas and his wife Marcela; his son Mark and his wife Wendy; his daughter Vicki (Swihart) Kistler and her husband Kem; his daughters Karen (Carter) Barrett, Laurie Carter, and his daughter Stacey (Carter) Fleece and her husband David. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren; Brent and Keith (Swihart) Aldred, Becky and Heather Swihart, Alec, Nick and Trevor Swihart, Addison Barrett, and Carson and Piper Fleece.
Born December 27, 1923 in New Winchester, Ohio, John was the only son of Harry and Fay (Cress) Swihart. Growing up during the Great Depression he was influenced by Charles Lindbergh and desperately wanted to fly airplanes. He got that chance after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that drew the US into World War II, when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and began flying B-29s. Promoted to First Lieutenant, his 5th Squadron in the 9th Bomb Group was stationed on the island of Tinian in the Marianas where he flew 35 combat missions from 1944 -1945. John was the pilot of the first B-29 Superfortress to land in an emergency on the island of Okinawa while it was still one-third occupied by enemy Japanese forces. He was also only the second B-29 to land on Iwo Jima. He was a decorated veteran with a Distinguished Flying Cross, three (3) Bronze Stars, and the Air Medal with four (4) Oak Leaf Clusters. Prior to honorable discharge, he saw the arrival of the B-29 Enola Gay on Tinian, which then delivered the atomic bomb on Hiroshima ending the war.
After returning stateside, John entered Bowling Green State University and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Physics in 1947 followed by a Bachelor's in Aeronautical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1949. He was hired by NASA (then known as NACA) at the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia and worked there until 1962. He was the Branch Chief of all large scale supersonic wind tunnels before joining The Boeing Company in Seattle as Chief of Aerodynamics & Propulsion. In only his second year at Boeing, he was promoted to Chief Engineer for the Supersonic Transport (SST) Development Program. He went on to become the Director of Far East Sales in 1971 and then Director of International Sales in 1974. In 1975 John became the Director & General Manager for the 767 Program and continued as Director of Product Development of the 757, 767 and 777 aircraft until 1979. From 1979-83 he was Vice President US & Canadian Sales and was then promoted to Boeing Corporate Vice President - Government Affairs where he secured FAA over-water certification of twin engine aircraft. He served as Corporate Vice President of the Boeing Company until his retirement in 1989.
Mr. Swihart's achievements include President and Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; a Fellow in the Royal Aeronautical Society; the first President and Vice Chairman of the National Center for Advanced Technologies (NCAT); Vice Chairman of the AIA Aerospace Technology Policy Forum; President of the International Society for Air Breathing Engines; and recipient of the Wright Brothers Award, the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Bowling Green State University and the Georgia Tech University Distinguished Engineer Award.
Mr. Swihart founded and was President of Swihart Consulting, Inc. to continue his pursuit of developing the advancement of supersonic flight. A member of the de Anza Country Club in Borrego Springs, California; he was a competitive golfer, regularly shooting his age. He was a connoisseur of fine wines, thoroughly enjoyed cooking gourmet meals, had an active social life, and dedicated himself to raising funds for the Borrego Medical Center Endowment Fund.
A memorial service to honor and celebrate John Swihart's life will be held at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, WA. (www.museumofflight.org) on Saturday April 21, 2007 at 6:00 PM. The family requests remembrances in John Swihart's name to his favorite project be made to the Borrego Community Health Society Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 2714, Borrego Springs, CA. 92004 or the Palomar Pomerado Health Foundation, PO Box 699, Escondido, CA, 92033.
1923 - 2007
John M. Swihart, retired Corporate Vice President and officer of The Boeing Company, dedicated nearly six decades to advancements in aeronautical engineering and was world renowned for his achievements in the aviation industry. Mr. Swihart died Saturday, March 24, 2007, at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, California after suffering a severe stroke at his winter home in Borrego Springs, California. He was 83.
John Swihart was a longtime resident of Mercer Island, Washington and lived in Medina, Washington. He is survived by his wife, Gail G. Swihart; his son Dick and his wife Sharon; his son Thomas and his wife Marcela; his son Mark and his wife Wendy; his daughter Vicki (Swihart) Kistler and her husband Kem; his daughters Karen (Carter) Barrett, Laurie Carter, and his daughter Stacey (Carter) Fleece and her husband David. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren; Brent and Keith (Swihart) Aldred, Becky and Heather Swihart, Alec, Nick and Trevor Swihart, Addison Barrett, and Carson and Piper Fleece.
Born December 27, 1923 in New Winchester, Ohio, John was the only son of Harry and Fay (Cress) Swihart. Growing up during the Great Depression he was influenced by Charles Lindbergh and desperately wanted to fly airplanes. He got that chance after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that drew the US into World War II, when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and began flying B-29s. Promoted to First Lieutenant, his 5th Squadron in the 9th Bomb Group was stationed on the island of Tinian in the Marianas where he flew 35 combat missions from 1944 -1945. John was the pilot of the first B-29 Superfortress to land in an emergency on the island of Okinawa while it was still one-third occupied by enemy Japanese forces. He was also only the second B-29 to land on Iwo Jima. He was a decorated veteran with a Distinguished Flying Cross, three (3) Bronze Stars, and the Air Medal with four (4) Oak Leaf Clusters. Prior to honorable discharge, he saw the arrival of the B-29 Enola Gay on Tinian, which then delivered the atomic bomb on Hiroshima ending the war.
After returning stateside, John entered Bowling Green State University and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Physics in 1947 followed by a Bachelor's in Aeronautical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1949. He was hired by NASA (then known as NACA) at the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia and worked there until 1962. He was the Branch Chief of all large scale supersonic wind tunnels before joining The Boeing Company in Seattle as Chief of Aerodynamics & Propulsion. In only his second year at Boeing, he was promoted to Chief Engineer for the Supersonic Transport (SST) Development Program. He went on to become the Director of Far East Sales in 1971 and then Director of International Sales in 1974. In 1975 John became the Director & General Manager for the 767 Program and continued as Director of Product Development of the 757, 767 and 777 aircraft until 1979. From 1979-83 he was Vice President US & Canadian Sales and was then promoted to Boeing Corporate Vice President - Government Affairs where he secured FAA over-water certification of twin engine aircraft. He served as Corporate Vice President of the Boeing Company until his retirement in 1989.
Mr. Swihart's achievements include President and Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; a Fellow in the Royal Aeronautical Society; the first President and Vice Chairman of the National Center for Advanced Technologies (NCAT); Vice Chairman of the AIA Aerospace Technology Policy Forum; President of the International Society for Air Breathing Engines; and recipient of the Wright Brothers Award, the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Bowling Green State University and the Georgia Tech University Distinguished Engineer Award.
Mr. Swihart founded and was President of Swihart Consulting, Inc. to continue his pursuit of developing the advancement of supersonic flight. A member of the de Anza Country Club in Borrego Springs, California; he was a competitive golfer, regularly shooting his age. He was a connoisseur of fine wines, thoroughly enjoyed cooking gourmet meals, had an active social life, and dedicated himself to raising funds for the Borrego Medical Center Endowment Fund.
A memorial service to honor and celebrate John Swihart's life will be held at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, WA. (www.museumofflight.org) on Saturday April 21, 2007 at 6:00 PM. The family requests remembrances in John Swihart's name to his favorite project be made to the Borrego Community Health Society Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 2714, Borrego Springs, CA. 92004 or the Palomar Pomerado Health Foundation, PO Box 699, Escondido, CA, 92033.
John Marion Swihart
1923 - 2007
John M. Swihart, retired Corporate Vice President and officer of The Boeing Company, dedicated nearly six decades to advancements in aeronautical engineering and was world renowned for his achievements in the aviation industry. Mr. Swihart died Saturday, March 24, 2007, at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, California after suffering a severe stroke at his winter home in Borrego Springs, California. He was 83.
John Swihart was a longtime resident of Mercer Island, Washington and lived in Medina, Washington. He is survived by his wife, Gail G. Swihart; his son Dick and his wife Sharon; his son Thomas and his wife Marcela; his son Mark and his wife Wendy; his daughter Vicki (Swihart) Kistler and her husband Kem; his daughters Karen (Carter) Barrett, Laurie Carter, and his daughter Stacey (Carter) Fleece and her husband David. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren; Brent and Keith (Swihart) Aldred, Becky and Heather Swihart, Alec, Nick and Trevor Swihart, Addison Barrett, and Carson and Piper Fleece.
Born December 27, 1923 in New Winchester, Ohio, John was the only son of Harry and Fay (Cress) Swihart. Growing up during the Great Depression he was influenced by Charles Lindbergh and desperately wanted to fly airplanes. He got that chance after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that drew the US into World War II, when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and began flying B-29s. Promoted to First Lieutenant, his 5th Squadron in the 9th Bomb Group was stationed on the island of Tinian in the Marianas where he flew 35 combat missions from 1944 -1945. John was the pilot of the first B-29 Superfortress to land in an emergency on the island of Okinawa while it was still one-third occupied by enemy Japanese forces. He was also only the second B-29 to land on Iwo Jima. He was a decorated veteran with a Distinguished Flying Cross, three (3) Bronze Stars, and the Air Medal with four (4) Oak Leaf Clusters. Prior to honorable discharge, he saw the arrival of the B-29 Enola Gay on Tinian, which then delivered the atomic bomb on Hiroshima ending the war.
After returning stateside, John entered Bowling Green State University and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Physics in 1947 followed by a Bachelor's in Aeronautical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1949. He was hired by NASA (then known as NACA) at the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia and worked there until 1962. He was the Branch Chief of all large scale supersonic wind tunnels before joining The Boeing Company in Seattle as Chief of Aerodynamics & Propulsion. In only his second year at Boeing, he was promoted to Chief Engineer for the Supersonic Transport (SST) Development Program. He went on to become the Director of Far East Sales in 1971 and then Director of International Sales in 1974. In 1975 John became the Director & General Manager for the 767 Program and continued as Director of Product Development of the 757, 767 and 777 aircraft until 1979. From 1979-83 he was Vice President US & Canadian Sales and was then promoted to Boeing Corporate Vice President - Government Affairs where he secured FAA over-water certification of twin engine aircraft. He served as Corporate Vice President of the Boeing Company until his retirement in 1989.
Mr. Swihart's achievements include President and Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; a Fellow in the Royal Aeronautical Society; the first President and Vice Chairman of the National Center for Advanced Technologies (NCAT); Vice Chairman of the AIA Aerospace Technology Policy Forum; President of the International Society for Air Breathing Engines; and recipient of the Wright Brothers Award, the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Bowling Green State University and the Georgia Tech University Distinguished Engineer Award.
Mr. Swihart founded and was President of Swihart Consulting, Inc. to continue his pursuit of developing the advancement of supersonic flight. A member of the de Anza Country Club in Borrego Springs, California; he was a competitive golfer, regularly shooting his age. He was a connoisseur of fine wines, thoroughly enjoyed cooking gourmet meals, had an active social life, and dedicated himself to raising funds for the Borrego Medical Center Endowment Fund.
A memorial service to honor and celebrate John Swihart's life will be held at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, WA. (www.museumofflight.org) on Saturday April 21, 2007 at 6:00 PM. The family requests remembrances in John Swihart's name to his favorite project be made to the Borrego Community Health Society Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 2714, Borrego Springs, CA. 92004 or the Palomar Pomerado Health Foundation, PO Box 699, Escondido, CA, 92033.
1923 - 2007
John M. Swihart, retired Corporate Vice President and officer of The Boeing Company, dedicated nearly six decades to advancements in aeronautical engineering and was world renowned for his achievements in the aviation industry. Mr. Swihart died Saturday, March 24, 2007, at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, California after suffering a severe stroke at his winter home in Borrego Springs, California. He was 83.
John Swihart was a longtime resident of Mercer Island, Washington and lived in Medina, Washington. He is survived by his wife, Gail G. Swihart; his son Dick and his wife Sharon; his son Thomas and his wife Marcela; his son Mark and his wife Wendy; his daughter Vicki (Swihart) Kistler and her husband Kem; his daughters Karen (Carter) Barrett, Laurie Carter, and his daughter Stacey (Carter) Fleece and her husband David. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren; Brent and Keith (Swihart) Aldred, Becky and Heather Swihart, Alec, Nick and Trevor Swihart, Addison Barrett, and Carson and Piper Fleece.
Born December 27, 1923 in New Winchester, Ohio, John was the only son of Harry and Fay (Cress) Swihart. Growing up during the Great Depression he was influenced by Charles Lindbergh and desperately wanted to fly airplanes. He got that chance after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that drew the US into World War II, when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and began flying B-29s. Promoted to First Lieutenant, his 5th Squadron in the 9th Bomb Group was stationed on the island of Tinian in the Marianas where he flew 35 combat missions from 1944 -1945. John was the pilot of the first B-29 Superfortress to land in an emergency on the island of Okinawa while it was still one-third occupied by enemy Japanese forces. He was also only the second B-29 to land on Iwo Jima. He was a decorated veteran with a Distinguished Flying Cross, three (3) Bronze Stars, and the Air Medal with four (4) Oak Leaf Clusters. Prior to honorable discharge, he saw the arrival of the B-29 Enola Gay on Tinian, which then delivered the atomic bomb on Hiroshima ending the war.
After returning stateside, John entered Bowling Green State University and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Physics in 1947 followed by a Bachelor's in Aeronautical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1949. He was hired by NASA (then known as NACA) at the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia and worked there until 1962. He was the Branch Chief of all large scale supersonic wind tunnels before joining The Boeing Company in Seattle as Chief of Aerodynamics & Propulsion. In only his second year at Boeing, he was promoted to Chief Engineer for the Supersonic Transport (SST) Development Program. He went on to become the Director of Far East Sales in 1971 and then Director of International Sales in 1974. In 1975 John became the Director & General Manager for the 767 Program and continued as Director of Product Development of the 757, 767 and 777 aircraft until 1979. From 1979-83 he was Vice President US & Canadian Sales and was then promoted to Boeing Corporate Vice President - Government Affairs where he secured FAA over-water certification of twin engine aircraft. He served as Corporate Vice President of the Boeing Company until his retirement in 1989.
Mr. Swihart's achievements include President and Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; a Fellow in the Royal Aeronautical Society; the first President and Vice Chairman of the National Center for Advanced Technologies (NCAT); Vice Chairman of the AIA Aerospace Technology Policy Forum; President of the International Society for Air Breathing Engines; and recipient of the Wright Brothers Award, the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Bowling Green State University and the Georgia Tech University Distinguished Engineer Award.
Mr. Swihart founded and was President of Swihart Consulting, Inc. to continue his pursuit of developing the advancement of supersonic flight. A member of the de Anza Country Club in Borrego Springs, California; he was a competitive golfer, regularly shooting his age. He was a connoisseur of fine wines, thoroughly enjoyed cooking gourmet meals, had an active social life, and dedicated himself to raising funds for the Borrego Medical Center Endowment Fund.
A memorial service to honor and celebrate John Swihart's life will be held at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, WA. (www.museumofflight.org) on Saturday April 21, 2007 at 6:00 PM. The family requests remembrances in John Swihart's name to his favorite project be made to the Borrego Community Health Society Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 2714, Borrego Springs, CA. 92004 or the Palomar Pomerado Health Foundation, PO Box 699, Escondido, CA, 92033.
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