I’m not really up for saying much about this, so I’ll just post the city’s press release. Ron was a special person and a real asset to Sunnyvale, and we’re all mostly just trying to wrap our heads around this and deal with it right now. Please send your good thoughts to Gail and his family.
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SUNNYVALE MOURNS LOSS OF COUNCILMEMBER
Contact: John Pilger (408) 730-7535
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 21, 2011
Release # 07 05 11
http://sunnyvale.ca.gov/Portals/0/Sunnyvale/news_releases/2011/NR%2007%2005%2011%20Swegles.pdf
SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Sunnyvale City Councilmember Ron Swegles is being mourned on his death in Michigan at 9 a.m. (local time in Michigan) this morning. The 67-year old Swegles was a Sunnyvale resident with a long career of public service. His death followed a period of declining health.
Swegles, who was first elected to City Council in 2003, was in the final year of his second term in office as a Sunnyvale Councilmember. He served as Vice Mayor in 2004 – 2005, then as Mayor in 2005 – 2006. Swegles was a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission and served as its chair for three years. He has served on Sunnyvale’s Senior Advisory Committee, the Downtown Planning Committee and the City’s Planning Commission.
“Ron’s death has struck all of us on Council very deeply,” said Mayor Melinda Hamilton. “Ron has served the City well as Councilmember and Mayor, and has worked tirelessly for the betterment of our community. He will be sorely missed by his fellow Councilmembers.”
City Manager Gary Luebbers was saddened at the loss. “Since I became City Manager, I have had the occasion to work closely with Councilmember Swegles countless times. I have always admired his deep concern for our residents and his unflagging attitude to step in and help. Ron has been a stalwart supporter of Sunnyvale’s senior community. It was my distinct privilege to work with Ron during my tenure in Sunnyvale. He was a fine Councilmember and a better person.”
Swegles was named Rotarian of the Year in 2003, and is a graduate of both Leadership Sunnyvale and the Sunnyvale Public Safety Community Academy. He has served as a board member for the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce.
Since 1991, Swegles has been the president of the Western Manufactured Housing Association.
As a City Councilmember, Swegles has served in numerous intergovernmental roles, including work with the League of California Cities, the Military Affairs Council, Moffett Restoration Advisory Board, Housing Trust of Santa Clara County, Valley Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Committee, the Advisory Council to the Council on Aging, U.S. Conference of Mayors (Community Development and Housing, and International Affairs), Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency and the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water System Financing Authority Board of Directors.
Swegles was a veteran of the U.S. Navy Submarine Service.
Swegles is survived by his wife, Gail, and is the father of two, stepfather of three, grandfather of nine and great grandfather of three.
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