WILTON, Conn. - Earl Linwood Swett Jr., 87, a longtime resident of Wilmington, Del., passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Wilton, Conn. Mr. Swett was born Sept. 1, 1925, in Brewer, to Earl and Helena Swett.

He was an accomplished athlete and avid Eagle Scout in his youth. He graduated from Brewer High School in 1943 and attended Harvard University prior to serving in the Navy during World War II. During the war he served on the ship - USS Earle B. Hall, was stationed in the Pacific Theater and rose to the rank of Navy lieutenant. He graduated from the University of Maine in 1950 with a degree in mechanical engineering. His long and distinguished career spanned four decades and three continents. He began as an engineer at Walworth Valve Co., Greenburg, Pa. Shortly thereafter, he took a position in Wilmington, Del., with Hercules Power Co., where he worked for more than 44 years, rising through the ranks from entry-level engineer to senior executive. During his tenure at Hercules Power Co., he moved a total of 19 times, which included 10 states and three countries. He was plant manager of Dawood-Hercules Plant, Lahore, West Pakistan; plant manager of Hess/Hercules. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; president of Taiwan Polypropylene, Taipei, Taiwan; and general manager of Petrocel, Tampico, Mexico. He retired from the work he loved at age 75. Upon retirement Mr. Swett returned to Wilmington, Del., where he stayed active by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, driving a school bus and working in his yard. He loved his wife, his family and his friends. He enjoyed traveling the world, learning new things and building things with his hands. His golden retrievers, Winston and Harley, were always by his side.

Mr. Swett is survived by his wife of 62 years, Frances; their children John Swett of Akron, Ohio, and Thomas Swett of Ridgefield, Conn.; their five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A reception and memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, March 9, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 2313 Concord Pile, Wilmington, Del. The interment will be after at Lower Brandywine Cemetery, Route 52, Wilmington, Del. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars, 406 West 34th St., Kansas City, MO 64111.