Frank Joseph Swekosky

Mr Frank Joseph Swekosky, age 84, passed away on August 22, 2026, in The Villages, Florida, surrounded by his loving family. Born July 25, 1942, he was raised in St Louis, Missouri where he attended St Louis University High School. Frank was energetic, competitive, and extraordinarily talented and intelligent in school, during his professional career, and in his personal life. He proudly graduated from one of the world's premier engineering universities, the Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, Missouri, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. Frank spent the majority of his award-winning career as a Geotechnical specialist, serving as one of the world's leading experts in soil vibration technology. He reinforced the ground under the foundations of countless buildings, bridges and other structures throughout the United States and in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East. Frank, his Great Wife #1 Joan, and their two children lived in Pittsburgh, Mississippi, Tennessee, Michigan, Illinois, California, and Louisiana. They eventually settled in his beloved, adopted hometown of Chicago where he enthusiastically cheered on the World Champion Chicago Bears. As a sports fanatic, Frank always enjoyed playing and watching baseball, basketball, soccer, golf, tennis, fishing and many other activities. During high school he was a key member of the Missouri state high school champion basketball team, and he also displayed the potential for a promising Major League Baseball career, with the Dodgers expressing strong interest in signing him as a pitcher until he threw out his arm. True to his nature, he more often cited his membership on the basketball team's End-of-the-Bench Club, which was secured when he was sent into a game and quickly sank a long, turnaround jump shot from the corner against his coach's wishes, resulting in his immediate benching for the remainder of the game. But it was in Chicago where his love of sports led him to the Love of his Life, Great Wife #2 Janet Murphy, who would become his loving and forever golf partner. They married despite Frank's burning disdain for the Cubs, coupled with his lifelong devotion to the St Louis Baseball Cardinals, demonstrated by his ever-present Cardinals baseball cap. Frank and Janet eloped and were married March 24, 2003 during a private ceremony in Jamaica, reflecting his selfless desire to quietly celebrate his own personal victories, while instead saving his boundless enthusiasm in celebration and recognition of the successes and accomplishments of his friends and family. Frank loved his family, and upon moving to The Villages, he and Janet parlayed Frank's extraordinary engineering prowess into designing and renovating their final home, which was specifically designed to accommodate their children and friends, and especially their growing brood of grandchildren. But it wasn't Frank's extraordinary and unstoppable energy and overwhelming enthusiasm for life, for his family, for sports, and not even his personal and professional accomplishments, which sustained him. Instead it was his boundless and immeasurable love for Janet. Indeed Frank's devotion to Janet knew no depths, and literally served as the motivation that kept him alive during their last few years together. In addition to Janet, Frank is survived by his children and stepchildren including his son, retired Air Force Colonel Frank Swekosky, Jr and adopted daughter(-in-law) Jennifer Swekosky of Haymarket Virginia, his daughter Sarah Hernandez and her husband Luis Hernandez of Punta Gorda Florida, Matt Tuchband of Barrington, Illinois and Carrie Rawlins of England. His grandchildren include St Louis University graduates Nicholas Swekosky and his wife Dr Roshmi Bhattacharya of Georgia, college athletes Joey Swekosky, X and Lexa Swekosky of Virginia, Luis Hernandez of Colorado, and Analise and Michael Hernandez of Florida, his step-grandchildren Beckett and Cassie Myklusch, Logan, Harper and Avery Tuchband, and his nieces Karen, Beth, and Athena. Frank is also survived by his great-granddaughter Amaya Swekosky, who is eagerly anticipating the imminent arrival of her sister in early 2027. Frank was preceded in death by his beloved mother Mrs Eone (Dee) Swekosky, his father Dr Frank Swekosky, and his sister Mrs JoAnn Dreiling. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Cornerstone Hospice, and Rev Victor Boynton for their extraordinary care, friendship and service. On August 29, family and friends will gather at Beyers Funeral Home, 134 US-441, Lady Lake, FL 32159 beginning at 1pm, leading to a Casual/Informal “Fond Farewell For Frank” starting at 2pm. Interment will follow at St Mary’s Cemetery in Evergreen Park, Illinois. Memorials and donations may be made to Cornerstone Hospice, 601 Mariposa Way, The Villages, FL 32162.

Frank Joseph Swekosky

July 25, 1942 - August 22, 2026