David A. SWOBODA

SWOBODA, David Alan, age 51, entered into peace on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 after a brave battle with the residual effects of childhood cancer. Beloved son of Kenneth and Marilyn Swoboda. Loving brother of Barbara Thomas, Beth Whelan (Joe), Julie Gnade (Dave), Diane Francis (John), and Lynn Strauss (Gary). Dear uncle of 7, great uncle of 4, nephew, cousin, and friend. Preceded in death by brother-in-law, Larry Thomas, and niece, Olivia Brooks. There are many words that come to mind when our family thinks about David: courage, strength, dignity, determination, compassion, family, faith and love rank highly among them. David’s life took a tragic turn when he was just four. During a family dinner, David suddenly could not get his fork to his mouth. He was rushed to the doctor and then transferred to Cardinal Glennon where his fight began. David was diagnosed with brain cancer, underwent surgery and radiation therapy that years later would exact a toll on his body. David then began a new life after beating cancer. He learned to walk again, talk again, ride a bike and drive a car. After graduating from high school, David worked for the St. Charles County Library and the St. Charles County Court House. He attended college to pursue a career as a professional photographer and then the effects of the cancer treatments as a child began to cause unforeseen complications resulting in the decline of his health. But as family and friends; we want to celebrate David's life and spirit. We would like to share with you a little about David's life and a few of our favorite memories. David enjoyed many things during his life's journey. He played the trombone, loved photography, fishing, car shows, hot air balloon races, country music, and the baseball hats Barb’s husband Larry gave him. He collected stamps, beer cans, and baseball cards. David and Dad participated in Boy Scouts where David soon discovered that camping was not one of his favorite things to do. On the other hand, he always looked forward to the family's annual vacation to Turkey Creek Ranch. David loved fishing with dad which provided time to get away from his sisters while Mom was stuck with the girls all day. One time at Turkey Creek Ranch it was Lynn and Diane’s turn to go out sailing with Dad on a small sail boat. Mom had insisted that David give Diane his Cardinal hat, because her face had started to burn. As the sail caught the wind, the boat gained speed and it started to flip. Dad jumped into the water to keep the boat from over turning, this caused Lynn to land in the water. Diane remembers jumping up and waving David’s hat in the air so it wouldn’t get wet and to show David that his hat had survived. David loved his family, researched his ancestry and intently listened to relatives share family stories, no matter how old. He was especially interested in their military backgrounds and thought it was important to recognize their service. David loved games. Scrabble was one of his favorites. Towards the end, he may not have remembered who visited earlier in the day, but he always pointed out misspelled words. David chose words that were important to him and included a personal meaning. For example: he would spell “carpenter” and then explain that he chose it because both his dad and Jesus’s dad were carpenters. Scores were not kept, David preferred to share letters to make more meaningful words. One of the main things we will always remember is that he had a huge heart for those less fortunate. In the early years of computers and before the internet was popular; David spent a lot of time on his computer chatting, playing games and doing research. Of course, this caused many arguments over the phone line with his younger sisters. Ultimately David started a website "Remembrance" to keep alive the memories of children who were missing or had been murdered. It touched many lives. So, while Lynn and Diane wanted to talk to boys, David was busy trying to make the world a better place. David was a compassionate soul who looked out for the underdog and wanted to do things for others who suffered. Once, while David was waiting in radiology, he talked to another young man suffering from severe muscle spasms. David explained that he had a Baclofen Pump which directed medicine into his spine to decrease the severity and number of spasms. When the radiologist came to talk to David, he immediately asked the doctor to go find the patient he had talked to and give him the name of the doctor who had implanted his pump. The doctor became teary eyed and then had to explain why he couldn’t. David was a giving person. One of Lynn’s favorite memories of David was from when she was little. She wanted an ID bracelet like all the big kids. One like her older brother had just received. Of course Mom and Dad said no. David took his ID bracelet, used his Dad’s tools, buffed off his name, and engraved Lynn’s name on it. It was one of many hand me downs Lynn has received, but it is by far her favorite and most cherished possession. Ultimately, David was determined to live life to its fullest and he persevered with a loving spirit overcoming so many obstacles that would have brought most of us to our knees. Although David suffered a great deal in his life, his life is a testimony to what it means to live life fully and face each day with courage, strength, dignity, compassion, faith, family and love. He loved deeply and was well loved. He will be missed. In the words of Father Hampe -“David made us all be better people.” A memorial mass will be celebrated at St. Cletus Catholic Church, 2705 Zumbehl Road, St. Charles, MO 63301 on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 11:00 AM with a luncheon immediately following. Memorials may be made to St. Charles West (SCW) All of Us Club, Attn: Linda Weidner. 3601 Droste Road. St. Charles, MO 63301.

David A. SWOBODA

September 18, 1964 - October 28, 2015