Folsom Funeral Service

Allen Kenneth Swanson, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, inventor, director, engineer, perfectionist.  Allen was born on May 14, 1930, to Eugene Swanson and Ella Lindstrom, both first generation immigrants from Sweden. Allen was one of their six sons, and is survived by his brother Clyde of North Reading. During World War II, when he was just 14, Allen was in the state National Guard, then  went in the Coast Guard at 17.  He later had careers as a minister and an engineer. Both his love of the Lord and his fascination with how things worked lasted throughout his life, which he shared with his wife Virginia (Crellen); his children Sharon Kantzer of Norfolk, Kris Schukneckt of Sharon, Robin Dias of West Virginia, Stephen Dias of Walpole, Stephanie Dias of Connecticut and Melissa Lopes of Salem; as well as his 12 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.  Allen always had a project, ranging from designing a new home to his current invention on perpetual motion. While he loved to read everything from Einstein to Stephen Hawkins, science wasn’t his only interest. He had a dramatic, creative flair and even wrote in play format – including his sermons.  Allen and Ginny traveled all over, including Hawaii, Italy and Ireland. He especially loved being at their Cape Cod cottage, but never went to the beach – he hated sand and salt water- and was happiest spending time out on his deck, with visiting family and friends.  On the evening of May 22, 2012, just after his 82^nd birthday, Allen passed away, with family surrounding him. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his memorial service on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton St., Dedham, followed by an open house at 81 Ware St., Dedham. Burial is private. In  lieu of flowers, donations to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute,  www.dana-farber.com or by mail at P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 would be appreciated.