Robert Szwed, a long-serving member of the Taylor community, died on March 20 at the age of 90. A memorial service will be held at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church on March 28 at 11 a.m.
Szwed was known for his decades of public service in Taylor, having spent over forty years on both the Taylor Board of Appeals and the Taylor Planning Commission. He stepped down as planning chairman just last year and was considered a friend to many city staff members and several mayors.
Reflecting on his commitment to public service, Szwed said last year after receiving a proclamation from the city, “(Serving is) easy to do when you love the community that you serve in. There have been hard times and there have been good times. It all goes together. We, the citizens of this City, deserve to be a part of it. That’s being here and being a good neighbor … the years that I’ve had here have been a delight.”
Mayor Tim Woolley said, “Bob was a truly great resident of our community for a very long time. I really enjoyed him — he’d sent out ‘good morning’ and ‘good night’ messages literally every day. I don’t know how big a group received them, but I for one appreciated getting those and considered him a true friend. He was old school and I loved our personal conversations. He dedicated a lot of his life to our community and will be a man who is truly missed.” Long-time Planning Director Lora Fell also remembered Szwed fondly: “Bob was a dear and wonderful friend to me and also to all he met,” she said. “I was very fortunate to work with him all these years. His dedication was incredible. In all his years serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission, he only missed one meeting. He knew how to chair a meeting and put everyone at ease. His smile and greeting would light up anyone’s day. We all dearly loved him and will miss him.”
Szwed served thirteen years on the Planning Commission as well as thirty-two years on the Zoning Board of Appeals—chairing both boards during much of that time—and participated in several other local committees including Eureka Way Committee, Van Born Corridor Improvement Committee, and Downtown Development Authority.
He retired from Ford Motor Company after attending technical education classes through Ford Motor Company programs as well as Henry Ford Community College, Cass Tech High School, and River Rouge High School; he also served as an Ordained Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Dearborn for many years.
Szwed is survived by his wife, two children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
