Archer Swank

Archer D. Swank

Casper—Memorial Service for Archer "Arch" Swank will be held on Sunday March 16th at 2:00 PM at Newcomer Funeral Home. A military service is planned with Reverend Leonard Robinson officiating. Cremation will be completed and interment at the Oregon Trail State Veterans' Cemetery will be held at a later date.

Arch was born at home in Dolores, Colorado October 7th 1933; he died on March 12th at the Wyoming Medical Center with heart complications.

Arch completed a tour of duty with the US Navy during the Korean War. He served aboard the USS Bremerton as a machinist mate. He proudly served his country spending the majority of his time at sea. At this time he enrolled in college classes sponsored by the military and began a lifetime of learning.

Arch graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a professional degree in Geological Engineering. Later while working in the space industry on the Apollo Moon Mission he worked on graduate courses in Electronic Engineering (EE) from the University of Alabama Huntsville. He spent the next 10 years in the South working as a system test engineer, on nuclear plant design and other interesting projects.

In 1974 he relocated to Casper with TVA on the nuclear raw materials staff. He continued with TVA until his retirement in 1989. Now he began to catch up on his fishing, hunting, horse packing, backpacking and cave exploring. This "playing" lasted for about 4 years and his need for learning returned. He began his own consulting business, WYOCAD, and married his love for computers with his knowledge of geology to create a computer assisted mapping business. He continued making maps until last week when illness overtook him.

Arch continued with college classes until this year. He took and retook every earth science class that Dr. Sundell taught. He enjoyed digital cameras and took Miles Hecker's class twice. He loved Casper College and the Tate Museum; he said it kept him young to be around such fine young people.

Arch was a member of the NSS (National Speleological Society for 43 years and was a founding member to the Hole In the Wall Grotto a local cave club. He was active as late as two years ago when he helped with vertical training of new cavers.

Arch was an active member of WGA, SME, The Casper College Geology Club and was a member of the state Board of Geologists.

Arch wants to be remembered as an avid outdoorsman who loved his extended family and friends and also as one who loved and practiced earth science. He was an accomplished guitarist playing classical, flamingo and easy listening for the pleasure of family and friends.

His wife of 44 years, Lynne, his daughter Susan Frazier, Sister Karen of VA, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces survive him. Arch was loved by all who knew him and he will be remembered for his quick smile, warm hugs, twinkling eyes and quick wit.

In lieu of flowers a scholarship fund in Arch's name will be established. The Archer Swank Scholarship will be administered by SME (Society if Mining Engineers) to benefit those qualified in the Earth Sciences. Send donations to Brett Henderson, Treasurer, SME at 1381 Ivy Lane, Casper, Wyoming 82609.