Richard L. Swift

Richard Leigh Swift, 82, of Manchester, passed away on February 6, 2022 after a year of declining health.

Dick was born on February 8, 1939 to Elizabeth and Leigh Swift of Gardiner, ME.

After graduating from Gardiner High School in 1957, he went on to attend Springfield College and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education.

He spent 25 years as a teacher, coach, athletic director and physical education advisor in the Andover, MA school system. Under his watch Andover won back to back state football championships in 1974/1975. While in that position, he is also credited with designing and implementing a curriculum for adaptive physical education. Members of his PE staff authored a book documenting this new program and dedicated it to Swift. In 1988 he retired from Education and spent many years in Real Estate before his retirement.

In 2006 Dick was inducted into the Punchard/Andover High School Athletic Hall of Fame. It was a great honor for Dick and his family.

Throughout the years he enjoyed activities such as fishing, fly tying, hiking and bird watching. His many friendships brought him so much joy; many that he maintained from his childhood days.

Dick is survived by his three children, Ann Swift and Amy Swift of Manchester and Eric Swift and his wife, Dotty, from Ashaway, RI. He will be missed by his entire family including three grandchildren, Ken, Erica and Scott in addition to three great-grandchildren, Ben, Iris and Aimee.

SERVICES: Calling hours will be held at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., Manchester, NH on Saturday, May 28, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Special Olympics New Hampshire, P.O. Box 3598, Concord, NH 03302, or at www.specialolympics@sonh.org