Robert Swartzel

Robert Lee Swartzel Sr. M.D., age 90 formerly of Kettering, OH, passed away on January 31, 2013 at St. Leonard’s Retirement Village surrounded by his loving family. Dr. Swartzel was born on May 2, 1922, in Germantown, Ohio, the son of the late Albert and Pearl Swartzel. He graduated from Germantown High School in 1940 and attended the University of Dayton on a basketball scholarship, graduating in 1943. Bob was nominated for the U.D. Flyers All Century Basketball Team.  During his time at UD, he was a member of the U.S. Army. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati Medical School in 1947. Dr. Swartzel married Marie Agnes Berding of Cincinnati on July 1, 1948. Robert specialized in Radiology, completing his internship and residency at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, OH. After his residency, he served in the U.S. Air Force at Lowrey Air Force Base Hospital in Denver, CO during the Korean War.  Upon completing his service in the Air Force, he returned to Ohio and served 10 years as The Radiologist at Greene Memorial Hospital in Xenia.. In 1964, Dr. Swartzel opened his own private medical practice in Kettering, OH, retiring in 1984. In 1992, Dr. Swartzel and other members of the 1940 Germantown High School basketball team were inducted into the Valley View Hall of Fame. He was a member of St. Albert the Great Parish in Kettering and St. Leonard’s in Centerville. He also was a member of the Golden Flyers Club, Montgomery County Medical Society, and Diplomat of the American College of Radiology. He and his wife are life members of the Germantown Historical Society. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers John and Albert Swartzel and a sister Helen Simon.  He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marie, daughters Carol (John) Holmes, Davenport, IA and Joy (Jim) Plymyer, Centreville, VA; sons Robert (Nancy) Swartzel, Jr. M.D., Burlington, KY and Tom  (Linda) Swartzel, Springboro, OH. Grandchildren Joe (Caroline) Holmes, Minneapolis, MN; Liz Swartzel, Columbus, OH; Julie Holmes, (fiancé Sean Persons) ,  North Liberty, IA; Jeff Swartzel, Springboro, OH; Dan (Elizabeth) Swartzel, Virginia Beach, VA: Andrew (Julia) Swartzel, Columbus, OH; Tristan Morris, (Cortney Campbell), Beavercreek, OH Nathan Morris, D’Iberville, MS and Justin Morris, Beavercreek, OH. Great grandchildren Lucy and Audrey Swartzel, Columbus, OH. Step grandchildren Jennifer, Tony, Valerie Santiago; Melissa Tierney; Travis, Caitlin, Cody Plymyer. Family and friends may call 10:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the Arpp & Root Funeral Home Germantown , where the Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Gary Wheeler officiating. Burial will be at Germantown Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave. Dayton, OH 45420.