John Swart was born on the island of Java in Indonesia in 1924, the oldest of four brothers and one sister. John enjoyed his childhood in the tropics and would continue to speak fondly of the food, climate and activities native to the region his whole life, including his favorite pastime, fishing.



As a young man, John served in the Royal Dutch Navy and it was during one of his R & R leaves that he met his future wife, Mieke, at a dance in Amsterdam, Holland, where he literally swept her off her feet. They were married in Maastricht, Holland, in 1958 and immigrated to America by ship in 1960 to seek opportunities for a promising future in the nation that had liberated their homeland during World War II.



John first found work as a laborer in San Gabriel, California, and became interested in the field of water quality treatment that involved his love of chemistry. In their new land of opportunity, John pursued this career dream by perfecting his English and completing one certification course after another, ultimately attaining the highest State of California water quality certification of Grade 5 Water Treatment Engineer.



He completed this achievement while employed with the Long Beach Water Department, where he was hired in 1966 and retired 28 years later as LBWD Superintendent. One of the most rewarding projects of his career, however, occurred after retirement when John was invited back to consult on designing the new Long Beach Water Treatment Facility, where his likeness is displayed in bronze on the lobby wall, an honor he treasured.



John and Mieke lived in the same house in east Long Beach for 29 years, experiencing many special milestones there, including the birth of their only child Corinne, who, as John would say even into his 90th year, was the apple of his eye. One of Corinne's fondest memories of her Dad is when he ran after a teenaged motorcyclist for several blocks to tell his parents he scared 6-year-old Corinne and her friends on the playground by closely encircling them with his motorcycle. Those who know John well won't be surprised that he kept up with the motorized offender, running all the way to his home.



One of the things Corinne told her Dad in his last days was that he was as much her hero now as back then on the playground. John battled kidney failure for nearly eight years with strength, grace and dignity; he was an example of determination and faith during this time more than ever.



Most of all, we will remember John's good humor, kindness, courage and love for his family and friends. Please join us as we honor this loyal, loving man with the adventurous spirit and generous soul. May he rest in peace with the Lord.

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,

that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

In lieu of flowers, my Dad would appreciate donations to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital:

https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/donation.do?cID=14262&pID=24671

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