Robert was the first child of Thad and Emma McSwain, followed by 4 sisters.  It couldn't have been easy being the only boy.   All the rough housing and skinned knees.  I remember playing in the basement in Germany in our apartment.  I remember you had parakeets and mice.  We always had cats and dogs. 


Oh and the model rockets, model cars, comic books.  


I looked up to you as someone smarter and stronger than me.

I cried when you went away to the Army.  Four long years in Germany.  And so happy when you came home.


As a young man, you formed a lifelong friendship with Deke.  Sometimes we got mad about your "crazy" ideas (going to the moon to farm, building crazy machines, investing in your latest schemes), but we always loved you.


I'll miss picking out extra large "grandpa" shirts for you for Christmas and the usual Christmas call.


Love you and miss you.