Richard Howard Swift of Montclair, California went to be with the Lord God Almighty on February 26, 2025; he was 92 years old. Richard was born and raised in East Liverpool, Ohio. He served four years in the Army based at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. After his service, he moved to Upland, California to join his family members in seeking warmer weather.
In the early 1950's, Richard, his father, Homer, and Uncle Harold began working at Kaiser Steel in Fontana, California. In 1982, he retired after 28 years of working as a linesman and foreman in the Tin Mill. He lived in Ontario, California for almost 10 years and then moved to Alta Loma (Rancho Cucamonga), California.
After his early retirement, he worked various part-time jobs, including owning an orchid growing business. He was an avid and well-respected, orchid hobbyist for over 45 years and was Past President of three southern California orchid societies and organizations. He grew thousands of orchid plants and created award-winning hybrids in his backyard greenhouses. He was married to Nancy Crall Swift Bauerle (now living in Midland, Michigan) from 1968 to 2013. He was a supporting member of Ontario Nazarene Church.
He is survived by his son, Mathew Swift of Eureka, California, his daughter, Sally Thompson (Richard Thompson) of Dinuba, California; five grandchildren; sister Norma Johnson of Powell, Ohio and many cousins.
No service was held. Burial was in Bellevue Cemetery in Ontario, California.
Inland Memorial Funeral Care served the family.