Mr.Carl Eric Swenson, 60, of Wetumpka, AL, passed away November 28, 2010. Mr.Swenson was born and raised in Kansas City, MO, graduating from Southwest High School in 1968. He later earned his Master's Degree from the University of Maryland. He served the government with a combined total of 40 years serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, retiring with the rank of Major and employed as a civilian employee
with the U.S. Air Force/Air Force Wargaming Institute at the time of his death. Carl was preceded in death by his parents, George E. and Eleanor A. Swenson. He is survived by his wife, Maria Trinidad-Swenson;
children, Christopher Swenson, Kristina Arocha; step-children Charlotte Meier, Douglas Meier, Derrick Meier, Anthony Garland; brother, William Swenson; and five grandchildren. A memorial service was held at Gassett
Funeral Home in Wetumpka, AL, on Dec. 1, 2010. Inturnment to occur at a later date in San Antonio, TX, San Fernando Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. Online Guest Book available at www.gassettfuneralhome.net.
From Bill Swenson, Carl's Brother:
Carl spent nearly a decade in Europe and traveled extensively while he was there. I'm assuming he was involved with NATO through the Air Force with logistics- movement of arms, men and material. He told me once that one of the things he was involved with was the Rapid Deployment Force. That includes some black ops forces. We always joked that he was a spy, but whether he was with the CIA, that I don't know. At his death, he was working at the Air Academy at Maxwell AFB. He was in charge of their wargaming dept. The base commander told me that every year they have a class for Air Force officers and senior Non-Comms, as well as personnel from other branches of the military, including members of allied military. They study for a year and at the end of it, they have a simulated situation-usually a war on 2 fronts and throw in a natural disaster or 2. The "game" is to see how the personnel handle it all. Carl was in charge of how the game was to be set up.
We believe Carl died of a heart attack, related to his diabetes on November 28, 2010. His obituary was in the Kansas City Star on December 26, 2010.
Andrea Thompson (Jarvis)
Carl was one of the relatively few people in class that I was connected with. I am so very sorry to hear he is no longer with us. He was part of our little group at Christ Lutheran Church, so nearly every Sunday we attended activities at Luther League...He was such a very gentle and kind person and very fond of my father, Cal Thompson who lead him in Sunday School for some time. I am thankful to his brother for providing insight into what sounds like a lifetime of serving, which is not surprising. He was one of my all time favorite people. God bless you Carl.
Stanley Kanter
I’m sorry to hear of Carl’s passing. I have vague memories (these days all my memories are vague) of friendly banter at track meets where Carl ran. And, I was manager. Coincidentally, this is where I developed a lifelong cynicism for titles. Seriously though, those vague memories are fond memories. I guess that’s why I have those memories.