Harold Valentine Swanson, 86, of Williamsburg, VA, died Dec. 22, 2011, at Sentara Williamsburg Hospital. He was born in Hartford, Conn., on Feb. 14, 1925, to Harry Reynolds Swanson and Ellen Katherine Morander. Surviving him are his wife of 64 years, Delores; his daughter, Elizabeth Anne and son-in-law, Robert Heuman; and his grandchildren, Mary Jac and Inde Heuman of Stamford, Conn. After graduation from Hall High School in West Hartford he entered the U.S. Navy (Seabees) in 1943 during WWII and served in the South Pacific and the Philippines. He was awarded a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the Citadel, Charleston, S.C. He practiced civil engineering for many years. He was an innovator in the field of pre-stressed concrete pipes and installed water pipelines around the world. He holds 13 U.S. patents, published many technical papers and was a member of several technical organizations. He spent many years singing baritone in the Masterworks Chorus of Morristown, N.J., and performed many times at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher. Harold retired in 1986 and moved to Williamsburg. He was a volunteer for the Williamsburg Symphonia, The College of William & Mary Archives, the C. Wren Society and sang with the Bruton Parish Episcopal Church choir. He loved playing cards, especially with his daughter, Liz, niece, Paula, and friend, Jim. Above all, he was devoted to his loving family, who will sadly miss him. A memorial service will be held at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28. Tags: 1949
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