Carl F. Swanson

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has received word of the death of retiree Carl F. Swanson on November 11, at his home in Arundel, Maine, after a long battle with cancer.  He was 76.

Carl worked at WHOI from 1966 to 1997, when he retired from the Institution.  During his tenure, he served as Master on the Research Vessels Lulu, Atlantis II, Knorr, and Oceanus. The traditional eight bells were sounded on the Atlantis ships bell on November 16, in his memory.

Carl was born in New Bedford, MA, to Frederick T. and Bertha F. Swanson on May 30, 1932. He graduated from Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1953. He served in the US Navy; was 2nd Mate and Chief Navigator aboard the S.S. United States; taught at S.M.V.T.I./Maine-GULF Program; was a Celestial Navigation Instructor; and assisted his wife Patricia at Curtain University in Australia in postdoctoral research – a country where they made many friends.

He loved the outdoors, was an avid fisherman, world traveler, voracious reader and an avid collector of flotsam & jetsam. He also enjoyed camping and skiing with friends and family, not to mention his love of all animals – great and small. He will be missed by many worldwide.

Carl was predeceased by his wife, Patricia, of 23 years, in December of 2007. He is survived by his three children, Tobias Swanson of Kennebunkport, ME; Ashley Swanson of Miami Beach, FL; Heather Swanson of Kennebunkport, ME; and his sister Barbara of Cape Porpoise, ME.

A gathering was held on Sunday, November 16, at his home on Log Cabin Road in Kennebunkport, ME.

Letters of condolences (and fond memories) can be sent to the  Swanson Family,  PO Box 1199, Kennebunkport, ME 04046.