David R. Swanbeck a long time Enumclaw resident, died Dec. 17, 2016, at the age of 91 from complications of a stroke.

He was born in Tracy, MN on Aug. 15, 1925 to Anna and Algott Swanbeck, where he was raised. He joined the Army air Corps during WWII where he learned to fly. David married Sheryl Ruthenbeck in Tracy, MN on Oct. 1, 1947.

He was hired by a commercial airlines in 1951. When his company transferred him to Washington State, he moved his wife and 4 children to Enumclaw in 1964. David was an avid golfer, hunter, and fisherman, making many fishing trips to Alaska and Canada with friends.

After his retirement from United Airlines as captain on Boeing 747, he and Sheryl spent every winter as snowbirds in Sun City West, AZ. He was very active in golf, travel and his church. David is survived by his wife, Sheryl, of 69 years; daughters, Susan Swanbeck of Cusick, WA, Peggy (Erv) Kuntz of Andover, MN, Patsy (Gene) Parkhurst of Enumclaw and son, Arthur (Danae) Swanbeck of Bonney Lake, WA.

He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Arlene.

A Funeral Service will take place Thurs., Dec. 29, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1535 Washington Ave., Enumclaw, WA 98022.

Burial will take place at Tahoma National Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements by Weeks’ Funeral Home in Buckley, WA. Please sign the online guest book at www.weeksfuneralhomes.com