The Maryland State Golf Association is saddened to share the passing of MSGA Past President (1974) and longtime Elkridge Club member Robert H. Swindell, Jr.
Obituary for Robert H. Swindell, Jr.
Robert Haldane Swindell Jr., a lover of family, golf, college basketball and chocolate died at his residence on August 4. He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Nancy Cotton Swindell and is survived by his four children Bobby (Betsy), Cotton (Tracy), Terry (Maria), and Jimmy (Susie) as well as fifteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother Thomas Parran Swindell and sister Sally Swindell Rinehart.
The son of the late Robert Haldane Swindell and Rachel Parran Swindell, Bob graduated from the Gilman School in 1951and the University of Virginia in 1955, where he played on the lacrosse team and was a member of St. Elmo’s fraternity. He was a long-time supporter of the Virginia Athletic Foundation and a fan of all UVA sports.
Upon graduation from Virginia, Bob joined the Navy and went to Officers school in Newport, RI. He spent three years aboard the USS Wren and was discharged in 1958 with the rank of Lieutenant. After the Navy, Bob married Nancy and then joined Barton Cotton, where he was a sales executive until his retirement.
Bob loved his sports and followed all his children’s and then his grandchildren’s athletic events ranging from rec league to college. He could quote their statistics and had plenty of advice on how to play better. His ability to remember facts and figures was legendary. He was an active bridge and gin player and enjoyed his tri- weekly games for the last ten years with his friends at Elkridge and Blakehurst. He was an expert in trivia and never missed the daily crossword puzzle published in The Baltimore Sun. Bob kept his mind sharp and, as he was not afraid to share, he was rarely wrong.
Golf was a passion. He played his entire life at Elkridge Club and Wawenock Country Club in Walpole, Maine and travelled the world to play with Nancy, friends, and the Niblicks Group. Bob put his passion to work, serving as President of the Maryland State Golf Association in 1974, and then the Middle Atlantic Golf Association in 1992, where he continued as Secretary and Treasurer until 2003. Bob was also the Founder and Commissioner of the Cottesbrook Cup for almost 50 years, considered by the family to be one of the Majors.
Bob was a good man and a true gentleman. His loyalty to friends and family will always be remembered. His unyielding determination and his joy for life set a shining example for all.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Church of the Redeemer, 5603 North Charles Street, on Friday September 13 at 1:00.
