Michael Swift 57, beloved son, husband and brother passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July, 10, 2012, at his home in Summerville, South Carolina. Mike was born on September 5, 1954, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Howard “Dick” and Carol (DeHaven) Swift.
Mike grew up in Hoquiam and graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1972. After graduation he joined the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1975. When he left the Navy he settled in Connecticut. He worked for General Dynamics Electric Boat Division in Groton, Conn. After 5 years he went to work for another defense contractor, Unidyne, where he spent 19 years until the company changed hands. He then went back to General Dynamics Information Technology, this time in Pawcatuck, Conn. designing and making secret precision sheet metal components and parts for nuclear submarines. In 2006, his wife Ruth retired from Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and they moved to Summerville, S.C. a suburb of Charleston, where Mike retired to pursue his love of RC Modeling and flying RC Helicopters. His friends call him a pioneer of 3D flight. He was sponsored by most all the major suppliers and companies in the field for 30 years. He had become one of the greatest scale Heli builders winning the Toledo competition several times. He also began his own “fun fly” event “The Crow Island Fun Fly” and it was a big success continuing still today, run by one of his pilot friends. Mike will be missed by many in this hobby. He made the art of flying RC Helis like a ballet in the air. Mike also became an avid bicycle rider, riding up to 20 miles every day, always at 3:00 p.m. in the heat of the afternoon Charleston sun. He was the ultimate Mr. Mom taking care of the home while Ruth worked on the road. Their 13 year old black pug, Abby, who traveled everywhere with Mike and Ruth to the events crossed the rainbow bridge 3 days after her Daddy and will rest with him in eternal peace. She was deaf and blind but somehow still managed to get around. He will be missed by all the neighbors in the Vista’s and all his flying buddies from all over the world.