Hale was born February 19, 1936 in Granite Falls Minnesota, the son of George and Ethel (Anderson) Swanson. An accomplished musician, he was also a star football player in high school. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music from Augustana College in Sioux Falls SD, where he met and married his soulmate Shirley Jean Roush in 1957. While in college, he toured as a saxophone player with several Big Bands. He went on to receive a Master´s degree in Music from the University of South Dakota.
After teaching for several years in Alcester South Dakota, the couple and their two sons moved to Miles City in 1964, where he taught at Washington Middle School for 34 years. In his teaching career, he was in charge of the band department and the vocal program, and introduced most of Miles City´s younger students to their musical instruments. Many of his students have gone on to have careers teaching music. He directed the Miles Community College Stage Band for many years, and was also musical director and conductor for many of the college stage productions. Along with his wife, he sang with the Norma Hartse singers. He was Vice President of the Miles City Community Concert Association for many years. An avid golfer and bridge player, he was a past President of the Miles City Town & Country Club.
He is survived by his sons Scott (Tracy) Swanson of Watkins Minnesota and Eric (Lianne) Swanson of Agua Dulce California, his brother-in-law Gary (Pat) Roush of Williamsburg Virginia, and his mother-in-law Dena Roush of Billings, Montana. He was the proud grandfather of Aaron Swanson (Minnesota), Dena Swanson (Minnesota) and Sherry Swanson (Minnesota), and great grandfather of Rhiannon and Connor. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Shirley, and by his parents.
Graveside services will be held at the Custer County Cemetery at 1:00 pm Friday January 6, 2012 followed by a Celebration of Life to be held at the Town and Country Club. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Denise Oberlander Harvey says
I still treasure playing and listening to “Classical Gas”. I have the piano music and it is on my I-pod. Mr. Swanson developed the passion I have for music and I am deeply indebted to him. I have since passed that passion to my granddaughter. Thank you so much, Mr. Swanson and your family for sharing him with all of us.
Nancy Norsby says
My daughter was a little afraid of Mr. Swanson. She was in Choir the first year he took over the choir. She had such a fun time in his class; he became one of her favorite teachers.
Bernie Buelow says
My deepest sympathies to the Swanson family on the lose of Hale. He was a wonderful teacher who will be missed.
Mike Wallick says
Definitely many of my very favorite school memories come from Mr. Swanson’s band room at Washington Middle School. My deepest sympathies to you in your sad time of loss. What a wonderful teacher and a great man.
Paul Wallick says
Mr. Swanson made us always feel welcome. We had so many fun times with him in band, remember when he got on us trumpets because we were a “beat off”, we laughed at that for awhile. And Friday Funsies was great. Taught us how to golf too.
Kirstin (Halbert) Feldman says
Mr. Swanson took me, a newby flute player in the 5th grade, and turned me into a musician. He made me feel special and talented, and was always one of my very favorite teachers. He’s the one I missed the most when I left Junior High, and I still think about him a lot as an adult, with nothing but affection and gratitude.
Jenny Skrivseth says
Thank you for your inspiration and kindness. I will always remember your wit and charm. You will be missed by many.
Doreen Zumpf Withee says
Mr. Swanson was one of those teachers you never forget – he developed passion in his students. It was because of him, I enjoyed band so much and when I left junior high, I missed his style. My sympathies to the family, time will heal your sorrows.
Patse & Richard Hansen says
Richard loved working with Hale and our children were so enriched by his love for music and life.
Sharon Clarke says
Hale was an incredible music teacher. He is the reason I started and stayed in music for so long. He motivated his students and was truly inspirational. He will be sorely missed but the wonderful memories of him will live on.
Christa Harvey Schoenfeld says
Mr. Swanson was a great teacher and a great man! Loved having him for the time I did. He was the best and will be missed. Glad I got to see him not long ago! God bless!
Liz Norsby Filler says
My sincerest sympathies to Mr. Swanson’s family. He tried so hard to teach a shy girl to play the drums, but my personality was much better suited to choir. I had a lot of fun being in his junior high choir – he even tricked me into singing solo for a couple of lines. I was so surprised, I kept on singing. His eyes sure twinkled when I made it through.
May Peace be with his family.
Brett Benge says
How very sad. Mr. Swanson was one one of the most influential teachers I have ever had. I fell I love with music during those formidable adolescent years largely because of Mr. Swanson. I am so thankful for the chance to have sung and played under his guidance – and for not kicking me out of the band room when I wanted to practice drums after hours! Your fantastic talent and sense of humor will be missed.
Andrea (Opp) Nimmo says
You were one of my favorite teachers. Your love for music was amazing and you will truely be miss.
Patrick Stoltz says
My thoughts and prayers with Hale’s Family. He was a great person at both school and the golf course! He will be missed! Thinking of you.
Patrick Stoltz
Karen Morris says
Mr. Swanson had the gift of making you believe in what you could be–even if it was a far dream away from what you currently were. He instilled a love of music in many of us. It was a privilege to have him for a teacher.
Sincere condolences to his family.
Christine Smith says
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you peace and comfort in your time of sorrow. I have so many fond memories of Mr. Swanson starting when I was in 5th grade. His ability to teach and his sense of humor were second to none. The things he taught me will be with me for the rest of my life. I feel blessed to have had him in my life. May he rest in peace.
Brenda Esser Koski says
Dear Eric and Family, My condolences to you all! I’m very sorry for the loss of your Father Hale! May you find comfort in his kind, loving ways, and celebrate his life by sharing all your wonderful memories you had with Hale! You all are in my thoughts and Prayers, God Bless you all
Brenda Esser Koski
Scott Dinardi says
The entire family is in my prayers. I have so many wonderful memories of Mr. Swanson. These memories will be with me forever. This very kind man took me from any ordinary young kid and turned me into a musician. See you soon friend! Keep the music playing.
Alex Delaney says
Easily one of the most important people in my life. I specifically took as many classes he taught just to be around him. The word has lost a great man, an avid golfer, and a hell of a saxophone player. A truly sad day.
Naomi White Erickson says
Mr. Swanson will always be one of my favorite teachers. He was always so passionate about his work that I couldn’t help but share in that passion. He was always there willing to listen to a young girl who liked to ramble. I fondly recall having summer baritone lessons and having to walk to them while hauling my incredibly heavy baritone. Mr. Swanson took pity on me a lot of the time and gave me a ride home in his little pumpkin orange car. He was a great man and I still think about him from time to time. He is forever burned onto my memory.
Terry Annalora says
What a great teacher and fellow musician! I enjoyed working with Hale, especially my first five years in Miles City, when I taught daily at the middle school. Hale was always there for help, and his great sense of humor “Did you ever hear the one about…”
I’ll miss him, and I wish his family well.
Jessica Higgins Parker says
I was sad to hear about Mr. Swanson. He was one of my favorite teachers and I have so many memories of classes, lessons, lunchtimes, and concerts with him. He made an impression on many lives and will be missed.
Brook Coleman says
My condolences to the Swanson family. He was a great man that will be greatly missed. He was one of the best music teachers out there.
Kay Carlson says
Mr.Swanson will always hold a special place in my heart. He had my daughter Jenny in his class. He encouraged her with her singing. Today she teaches Junior High choir in Missoula and is touching students’ lives just like Mr. Swanson did.
Stephanie L. Delaney says
Mr. Swanson was a great guy. He taught me more about life than I’ll ever know. He was funny and fashionable, he will certainly be missed.
Joseph Kelly says
Even though he tried very hard to reach any musical talent I never had my fondest memories of Hale Swanson are not in the BAndroom at Washington School. I was previliged to spend 2 weeks with him in North Minnesota canoing. And it all bolied down to the afternoon I was his bowman and we were racing across a lake at the end of a very long day. He will be greatly missed. God’s speed.
Renee Peterson says
I have many memories of good times with Hale and Shirley. Hale was one of the reasons I enjoyed going to work every day. He was always game for a good laugh or a prank on someone,
I am glad his pain is over and that he is with the love of his life once more.
Renee
Blane Christopherson says
Eric and Scott:
Very sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I wish you both and your family the strength to carry on.
Take care,
Blane
Beth Ann Buell Milligan says
You always wondered what Hale was up to when he smiled, tho that was all the time! He was a delight to be around! He’ll be missed greatly in this community! I feel fortunate to have shared a small part of his life as a friend and that includes Shirley. I MISS THEM BOTH.
Cathy Thibault Lampert says
Eric and Scott,
You and your families are in my thoughts and prayers. Your dad was a wonderful man and made 1 hour of band the best part of the day.
Lindsey Wilkerson says
Mr. Swanson was one of the most influential people in my life. I played the saxophone badly for all of 8th grade, and he was still encouraging. He had such spirit and humor. I will miss him a lot, and know others will too.
Caren (Caldwell) Hass says
Our Prayers and thought are with the family Of Hale Swanson
Caren and Dean Hass
Bob Thaden says
I got to know Swede especially while I was working as Hospice Chaplain for Holy Rosary, and always enjoyed visiting Swede, and he enjoyed it too. I’ll miss his big smile and the endearing love he had for his wife. Best to the family.
Wendy Wilson says
Do they let you throw erasers at tuba players in heaven? They should. My condolences to Scott and Eric and their families.
Patti (Green) Ireland says
While I was attending MCC, Mr. Swanson started a pep band to entertain at basketball games. My sax and I truly enjoyed those 2 years in the band. Mr. Swanson made the experience bunches of fun. I’m sorry for your loss.
Dena Swanson says
It is so nice to see how many lives my grandpa touched. He was an amazing man with great jokes and a kind heart. I will always remember his passion for music, his big smile and his hearty laugh. He will be very missed by my family and we thank you all for the condolences.
Dave Parent says
Many great memories of Hale “back in the day”. My condolences to Eric, Scott and their families.
Jeena Hanley Christopherson says
Mr. Swanson was a wonderful man- I loved that he let the students direct the band on Fridays. I remember being so proud to pin a boutonnière on him at a band concert- he was so excited for us to play Swan River… I also remember how proud he was that day that Erik came to school and talk to us about his musical journey. Memories of a really great guy will live forever in my mind- many condolences to you all~
Pam Pinkham Griffin says
Eric, So sorry to hear about your dad. I was visiting someone before Christmas at the HR Extended Care and got to speak to him. I will always remember him and our junior high band days. Mr. Swanson (as he’ll always be known to me) was a great teacher – too bad I didn’t practice. My deepest sympathy to you, Lianne, Scott, and the family. Pam Griffin
Toni Campbell Tivy says
Mr. Swanson was a great man and one of Miles City’s finest citizens. When I was in Junior High he tried to teach me to play the flute, and since I wasn’t very musical and did not practice as hard as I should have, he had the patience of a saint! He did not try to steer me away from something I obvioulsy had no aptitude for, but continued to try to teach me week after week, month after month despite my shortcomings. Luckily I realized after about 6 months it wasn’t going well, but he never let me believe anything other than that I could succeed. He was a great man and I will never forget him (a sentiment that I am sure will be shared by countless students who learned the lifetime gift of music from him.)
Eric and Scott and your families please accept my condolences on your loss.
Jenn says
RIP Mr. Swanson, thank you for giving me the love of music I have today and being an amazing teacher! See you on the other side someday.
Rock Lovec says
I send condolences to the family. I fondly remember Mr. Swanson as my first band instructor during the summer of 1979 and later during 5th grade at Lincoln School. He was a great asset to the musical program in Miles City.
Mark Holland says
Music teachers often have a profound effect on their developing students. Mine did, and, from what I’ve read here, so did this gentleman.
Best to the family, from Agua Dulce
Robin Hutton says
Who out there remembers his directive to the percussion section ” Play as softly as if the sound is coming all the way from Hysham”? What a great man…
Rayetta Fjell says
Thoughts & Prayers go out to Mr. Swanson’s family. Mr. Swanson taught all 4 of my children in band. He was a very kind & wonderful person. Mr. Swanson will always be remembered by the Fjell family.
Lori Richardson-Parr says
My sincere condolences to the Swanson family. I want to share some fond memories of Mr. Swanson. Every day during 4th grade summer band, he would make me say, “Yes sir, Mr. Swanson, sir, your omnipotence, sir!” I had to go home and look up that big word to truly understand the humor, so not only did he teach music, but started my large vocabulary, as well! He was an inspiration, a friend, a teacher, a kind man. He was the source of laughter on many days when I could not have otherwise cracked a smile for for fear of breaking down in those turbulent days of Jr. High. He was a joy to be around and the highlight of many young people’s day. He carries a special place in my heart.
Lori Richardson-Parr
Karen Lundgren says
I am so grateful for Mr. Swanson’s instruction of my children when they were students at WMS. His presence and kindness shone through every thing he did. Hale’s children and grandchildren and great grandchildren can be so proud to be his family!
Kevin Benge says
My heartfelt condolences to your families. I am honored to have called Mr. Swanson my music teacher. Truly one the most inspiring, humorous, and impacting educators I ever had. I was proud to have known him and will miss him. Take a bow Mr. Swanson.
Thomas Holmes says
It is hard for me to put into words what a profound effect Mr. Swanson had on my life. Perhaps it is enough to say that he is the reason I became a musician and teacher. There is a piece of Hale Swanson in every note I play and I aspire to have the same impact on my students.
Emily Swogger-Reaves says
Mr. Swanson was a great teacher, he will be missed.
Jason Oberlander says
I have many memories, but a few are caroling the Grinch at the bank, pop concert being one of the seven dwarfs, and my solo to Ragtime Joe.
Paul White says
Goodby Mr. Swanson. You tought me that it was ok to love music and football at the same time. I always looked up to you. I am a better person for having been your student. Thank you.
JohnHolland says
He was the best music teacher I ever had, as well as a great neighbor. He will be missed.