| Graduation Year | Class of 1969 |
| Date of Passing | Jul 21, 2010 |
| About | ERIC SWISHER IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Our precious husband, father, and friend Eric Swisher took flight and entered the joy of Heaven on July 21, 2010. He was surrounded by his family and friends and slipped away peacefully. He was 58. Eric was born October 15, 1951 in Pocatello, Idaho to Perry and Nicky Swisher. He attended grades K-12 in Pocatello and graduated from I.S.U in 1975. He was an adventurous, bright child. As a toddler, he had learned to find his way around the neighborhood, would walk for miles and then find his way back home. He adored reading at a young age and that love for reading continued throughout his life. He held such a strong admiration for his parents who encouraged him in the many endeavors he attempted. He was very proud to be their son and learned so very much from them. As a young adult and on a whim one day, Eric joined a traveling circus to play trombone with the circus band. Because he didn’t speak the language of the rest of the band members, and also because the band leader had taken off with the music, he learned to play by ear and simply loved it. He also enjoyed jazz and was quite excellent at it. In 1975 he was sitting in his living room and saw a young woman walking by his home. He was instantly attracted to her and met her for the first time later that day at church. They became best friends and married in 1977. It was a union “made in heaven,†lasting 33 bliss-filled years until his death. One of their favorite things to do together as a couple was to mentor young couples in marriage. He became the beaming father of Nate in 1978, Nick in 1979, and Natalie in 1983. He adored his children and was so very proud of each of them. He then became the grandfather of Amaris and Noah and spoiled them every chance he got. “Papa†especially enjoyed passing along the gift of music to them. They actually began to appreciate unusual artists such as Spike Lee. In 1973, he gave his life to the Lord Jesus. He loved God with all his heart and served Him with every passing day. He was a tender, kind-hearted man who was adored by so many. He left such a legacy in the lives of his sons and daughter and many other people, as well. He was a man of prayer and bible study, an excellent leader who passed on to many others his awesome love for God. He was an accomplished musician and especially loved to use his music to glorify the Greatest Love of His life – the Lord. He also loved to encourage others to be creative and explore the God-given possibilities within them. As a young man, he made an attempt at being a chef, but caught the hotel on fire. He loved working at bookstores but that just didn’t pay the bills, so he ended up at the INL as a technical writer for most of his adult life. He was diagnosed in 2008 with inoperable pancreatic cancer. He was told he only had a short time to live and he said “no way, we’ll show them.†And he did. He outlived his prognosis by at least a year and a half. It was amazing to all of us, but not once did he complain or feel sorry for himself. He fought with such great courage and amazed us all. He said that he gained so much strength from being wrapped in the prayers of many and was so very grateful for the all the support. He fought all the way to the end – but carried a deeper hope in his heart of a new beginning. He looked forward to eternity with a twinkling smile. Eric is survived by his wife and best friend, Lorie Warren Swisher, his sons Nate (De’Sha) Swisher, Nick Swisher, his daughter Natalie Swisher, his grandchildren Amaris and Noah Swisher, his parents Perry and Nicky Swisher, his brother Larry Swisher, several nieces and nephews and his in-laws Richard and Pat Webber, Debbie Ackerman, Scott and Sherri Lebow and Gene and Diane Warren. And then there is his “family†at A.A.H. – he loved them dearly. We, his family, consider him to be the best husband and father ever. Our hearts ache as we’ll miss him dearly, but we rejoice that he is free. The family would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Tony Golden and his kind staff whose compassion truly displays going the extra mile! They would also like to thank Dr. Dane Dickson and the staff at Teton Oncology whose support was inexplicable! And not to forget the kindness of Hospice of Eastern Idaho and the staff at Prescription Center Home Care. Especially we would like to thank all those that stood behind Eric these past two years. Truly we have known the pleasure of being embraced by a “band of brothers.†A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2010 at Wood East Side Funeral Home (963 South Ammon Road) with his son, Pastor Nate Swisher, officiating. The family will visit with friends for one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Eastern Idaho, 1810 Moran Street, Idaho Falls, ID, 83401 or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - http://firstgiving.com/ericswisher. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Christy Belka cmbelka@hotmail.com Lori- I received the phone call today from work informing me of Eric's passing. I am grieving, but at the same time happy he no longer has to suffer or be in pain. I know he is in a much better place, free of all ills. I am sorry I will not be in town on Tuesday to celebrate Eric's life. I would love to be there and give you another hug. So I will let you know my thoughts instead... I wish I could have met both of you under different circumstances, but it was an honor and privilege for me to help take care of Eric. He was a great example to me of love, hope, faith, determination, strength and sheer will. It is because of special people like you that make me love my job. I looked forward to seeing both of you each week. I loved hearing Eric's stories of life experiences, goals, both of your talents and you many traveling adventures. I am so grateful you were able to make one last trip together. Lori, I hope you go back to teaching and playing the piano soon. Eric loved bragging to me about you (when you went to get his lunch) he would tell me how wonderful you are. He appreciated all you did for him and loved you very much. You are truly an amazing women with many talents and gifts thank you for sharing. You are in my heart and prayers always. Love- Christy Jim Shaffer It was with much sadness that I read of Eric's passing. He was a fine Christian man with a powerful witness as he fought the good fight. May the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, comfort you as you grieve. With love, in Christ, Jim Jennifer & Kermit Bjornlie Lorie and family - Kermit and I are not in town and just received word of Eric's passing. While we were saddened to hear of your loss, we also rejoiced in knowing Eric is with his Father in Heaven and has been healed. While we will not be there on Tuesday, know we are thinking of all of you during this time. We love you. God Bless - Jennifer & Kermit Mike and Janice Stearns Dear Lorie ... and kids ... may the Lord continue to keep you in His care. We all were greatly blessed by Eric. He is a great man. Love in Christ, Mike and Janice Stearns Jane Freund jane@janefreund.com I did not know Eric, but have known Perry and Nicki for many years and remember the moment in a Boise coffeehouse when Nicki told me of Eric's cancer. Please know that all of you continue to be in my prayers and thoughts and that I am truly sorry for your loss. I pray that you find comfort in knowing that Eric is with the Lord. Resting in Him Jane Freund Lacey Jorgensen I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of Eric. I grew up on 4th street with the Swisher family, and went to school with Nate and Nick. Eric was a great man. My thoughts are with you. Charles Barnes cmbarnes@ida.net Lori, I just became aware of Eric's death early this morning and want to share in your sorrow and loss from his leaving this world and the joy of knowing he's entered through the veil into the presence of Jesus and the saints of the ages. Though I haven't kept in touch with you and Eric over the last few years, I will always treasure the years of early morning prayer times with Eric, the concerts of prayer and encouraging conversations with him at work. Charles Dan and Patricia Hubbard dhubbardcares@msn.com Lori and all the Swisher Family, May the Lord hold you fast, comfort you and show you his deep love as he has called your Husband, Father and Grandfather to dwell on high with him. When I learned through a call of a friend today of Eric’s passing and struggle with cancer my first thoughts were of deep compassion, for you, and your family. It is with this compassion that Pat and I tell you that we are sorry for your loss of such a great man. Although, you may not know it, your family has been a blessing to Pat and I in many ways. Eric contributed very much to those blessings, with his words of wisdom and child like heart for the Lord. He was a beaming example of a man of whom God uses to spread his light upon the world. It was our great pleasure to worship together, learn of God and yes even be refined through Eric’s teachings. We always knew he had prayed and heard from the Lord clearly before he ever spoke a word. It was always a fun and a joyous experience also, to watch and hear Eric when he picked up his Trombone to worship the Lord. Although it is today after hearing of Eric’s passing, Pat and I are writing this to you. Please know your family has been on our hearts many times over the years. God places us, where he knows we will do best in our walk with him, and being placed on the same path at the same time as your family has always been a blessing to us in our learning of the Lords ways. I would encourage you, in this, the Lord has many things for you and your family concerning him in the days to come. Stay close to him, as I know you will. We will all look forward to that day when we see Eric again. Psalms 13:5 But I have trusted in Your loving kindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. Psalms 13:6 I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me. We will not be able to join you Lori and your family as you Celebrate Eric’s life on Tuesday, but know our hearts and prayers will be with you. If you ever need prayer for anything in the years to come or anything else, know we are here. God Bless you… Louise Phoenix Giedraitisa The news of Eric's tragically early death came as a shock. My heartfelt condolences to all who loved him. His parents and mine were good friends, and I went to school with his brother Larry. While I did not know Eric as an adult, I remember him as the dearest little kid, and I'm sorry he has left us so early. Sherl Mooney Callen sherl@cableone.net Lorie, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. I didn't know Eric but he must have been a wonderful man. I just want you to know that you are in my thoughts. Michael Sandvig Nate, My condolences to you and your family. May you all be comforted through your faith in the Lord. Mike Jeremy and Ani Karg javasmk6@gmail.com It's very early Tuesday morning, and I am up thinking of your whole family. Love you all so much and please know that if we could be there, we would. Veiyah has to be within 5 hours of our hospital here. You will all be in our prayers today and forever. Nate, I'm not surprised by any means that you are doing your dad's funeral service, but I definitely commend you for taking such a role. What a circle of life!! Once again, wish we could be there. Wish we could give you all big hugs. All our love from Iowa, The Kargs~ Brad and Brenda Holder bnb4evr@cableone.net We feel very fortunate to have known Eric for some time through work at the INL site. He was always a joy to work with, and it is our loss that we didn't know him better as a friend. Even during his illness, Eric always seemed to approach things with a grounded, calming strength that was infectious and inspirational. It is so wonderful that his family and friends were such a solid support system during his illness, which is also testament to what a great guy he was. We know he is with God now, and we hope his family can find solace in that during this time of loss. Our prayers are with you. Scott Phoenix sandcphoenix@gmail.com I wish to extend condolences to the family. My brother-in-law Zach (Chris) Murphy and Eric were buddies, something you might already know about. Something you probably don't know about is that my parents were good friends with Eric's parents, Nicki and Perry, and they offered to give a ride to Eric and Nicki on a family trip of ours to the San Francisco Bay area so that Eric could be seen by an ear specialist, for medical help not available in Pocatello. My parents were happy to be of help to the Swishers, who to them were people of great character, and to get medical help for a young Eric. Debu and Catherine Majumdar mmajumda@yahoo.com We are very sorry to know of the death of our colleague and friend Eric Swisher and send our sincere condolence to his family. It was a great pleasure for both of us to work with Eric. He was always pleasant and fun to talk with. Debu found him wonderful as a creative writer, willing to read Debu's writings and critique them. Catherine has benefited from his wisdom in technical writing at the INL and felt he was the only truly sincere Christian she ever met. It is such a shame that he died at such an early age. We will miss him. Debu & Catherine Majumdar |
