Obituary of Stephen L. Swails

Stephen L. Swails, 68, of Iowa City, died Friday, August 18, 2017, following a sudden battle with pancreatic cancer.

Funeral services will be at 11am Saturday, August 26, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa City (Sunday Parking Ordinance will be in effect for parking near the church).  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm Friday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Steve’s memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or the Cedar Rapids Civil Air Patrol.

Steve was born November 27, 1948; the son of Larry Swails and Elaine (Rusley) Swails.  He graduated from City High School in Iowa City in 1967, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Iowa in 1972, and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Utah in 1989.  Steve married Sara Beckord, 46 years ago, at the First Presbyterian Church in Rolfe, Iowa on August 22, 1971. They have three children and five grandchildren.

Steve joined the United States Air Force in 1972.   He flew the F4 Phantom jet and was Top Gun of the Quarter while based in Spain as part of a NATO force.  In 1980, he left the Air Force and worked in the nuclear energy field.  He was active in the Air Force Reserves until 2000, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel.  After leaving the Air Force, he first worked with Westinghouse and then Alliant Energy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He was employed at Alliant for 28 years, starting as Manager of Nuclear Licensing and retiring as Director of Substation Asset Care. Following his retirement from Alliant, Steve did part-time consulting work for Mi-Tech Services until his death. Steve and Sara were building the perfect retirement together by renovating Sara’s parent’s cabin in Estes Park, Colorado, preparing and expanding it together for their growing family. Sadly, the project is not yet complete, but he was thrilled knowing future generations will fill it with happy memories.

Steve was an Eagle Scout who loved road biking, taking part in RAGBRAI, TOMRV and several century rides.  He was a member of the Bicyclists of Iowa City and spoke fondly of his many Wild Turkey rides.  He was also a regular runner, a very active guy that did not like to sit still for long.  His engineering mind was eager to explore and solve anything. He could fix absolutely everything. His favorite role was as Grandpa Steve to his five grandchildren. He delighted in their development, playing and sharing his curious nature.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, Larry Swails.  Steve is survived by his wife, Sara, of Iowa City, Iowa and his mother, Elaine Swails, of Iowa City, Iowa. He is also survived by his three children: Amanda Swails (Nick Miller) of Boise, Idaho; Emily Jurek (Joe Jurek) of Chicago, Illinois; and Dan Swails (Bailey Jacobson) of Glenwood, Illinois.  He is also survived by his brother, Mark Swails (Mindy Swails) of Vestal, New York; sister, Fran Bridges (Jimmy Bridges) of Little Rock, Arkansas and his five grandchildren Gus, Henry, Peter, Lola and Wesley.  He will be missed dearly by all those who knew him.