John Swenson

John Edward Swenson, of Bow, 85 passed away peacefully at home on October 9, 2021, surrounded by family.

John was born March 1, 1936 in Rahway, NJ and in his childhood also lived in Fanwood, NJ and Merrimac, MA before his family settled in Hampton, NH. John was a resident of Bow, NH for the past 60 years.

John was the son of the late Arthur Roy Swenson and Margaret Barr Swenson. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert James Swenson. He was a 1954 graduate of Hampton Academy and graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

Following college, John worked in Defense Electronics for Sanders Associates in Nashua, NH. He remained employed there for his entire career through changes of ownership to Lockheed Corporation, Lockheed Martin and later, BAE Systems. John was one of those rare folks these days who never changed jobs in his more than 45-year career. During his career, John was recognized as an Engineering Fellow and traveled widely around the world in his role. In his later years of his career, BAE retained his services to consult with and train the next generation of engineers working on many of the company’s important projects.

In addition to his career, John was very committed to his community. He served the Bow School Board for nine years and served on the building committee for the current Bow Elementary School. He served on the town budget committee and was a corporator of Concord Hospital. He served on the board for Concord Regional Healthcare and on the board of the Concord (now Granite) VNA. He was one of the original founders of Bow Mills Bank and Trust where he served as the Chairman of the Board for the entire existence of the bank before its acquisition by Merrimack County Savings Bank.

Outside of his professional and civic pursuits, John enjoyed countless interests and hobbies. He loved to spend time at his beloved family lake house in Moultonborough on Lake Winnipesaukee. He was an avid boater and skier (both winter and water) – passions he passed on to his sons. The family will fondly remember the look of joy on his face when carving a turn on his slalom ski behind his Penn Yann Swift. John had a deep love for the mountains particularly the White Mountains. He hiked there frequently in college and continued well into his later years with friends and family. John built the family home in Bow and made many renovations to the lake cottage as well as built and renovated many homes for others. John was a tinkerer with enviable diagnostic skills and would take on any challenge he was presented with, be it a broken car, computer or household appliance.

John was predeceased by a son, Michael Ross Swenson. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sara H. Swenson. John also leaves behind his sons, John Eric Swenson and wife, Monica; Curt Edward Swenson and his wife Emma; and James Douglas Swenson and his wife Kerri. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jo, Erik, Jasper, Freya, Ryan and Deaglan; and beloved K9 companion, Kali.

ARRANGEMENTS: His Memorial Gathering will be held in the Cremation Society of New Hampshire, 243 Hanover St., Manchester, on Friday, October 22, 2021 from 1:00P.M. to 3:00P.M. A Celebration of Life will be held later when all the family can gather. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to: Granite VNA, 30 Pillsbury St, Concord, NH 03301, the Concord Hospital Trust, 250 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301, or the University of New Hampshire, 9 Edgewood Rd., Durham, NH 03824. To view John's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.