David W. Swetland, 93, of Alna, died on Sept. 11 of cancer. Active until his final three weeks, he spent his last days looking over the fields of his home.
Commercial real estate was David’s vocation. His grandfather, father and uncles had started the business in Cleveland in the late 1800s. He owned and managed the Park Investment Company in Cleveland and developed the Park Place Apartments in Palm Beach, Fla.
David will be remembered for his involvement with many community organizations. He served on the board of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for many years.
He also served on the board of The Holden Arboretum beginning in the formative years of the 50s and 60s and continuing into the 80s. As an amateur horticulturalist and with experience in building and construction, he was uniquely qualified to help the Institution through a remarkable growth period in the plant collection and the building of the Horticulture Science Center.
An extraordinarily energetic man, he was a former president of the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, an honorary trustee of the Cleveland Botanical Garden, a life trustee of the Cleveland Sight Center, former president and life trustee of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, an honorary life trustee of the Vocational Guidance Services, former president and honorary trustee of the Nature Conservancy, Ohio Chapter, a trustee emeritus of Western Reserve Academy, former board member of the Western Reserve Historical Society and founder, along with his first wife, of the Mary Ann Swetland Center for Environment and Health at Case Western Reserve University.
From the 1970s he divided his time between Cleveland, Ohio, Miami, Fla. and Alna. He was an avid sailor and pilot, crossing the Atlantic both by boat and plane while in his 70s. He acquired a Boothbay Harbor One Design to celebrate his 90th birthday and raced her for two seasons. He was also a prolific writer: David published a family history, and a book of poetry.
His first wife, Mary Ann Sears Swetland died in 1969. His second wife, Jean Thomas (Tommy) Swetland died in 2005.
He is survived by his children, David S. Swetland and wife Paula S. of Miami, Fla., Ruth S. Eppig and husband Michael D. of Bratenahl, Ohio, and Polly S. Jones and husband Richard of Palm Beach, Fla.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Christine Anderson of Sciolze, Italy, Dane Anderson of Swarthmore, Penn., Carol Juliano of Torrey, Utah and Chace Anderson of Cleveland Heights, Ohio; seven step-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandchild.
Memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, P.O. Box 234, Boothbay, ME 04537 or to Miles Home Health and Hospice, 40 Belvedere Rd., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
