Charles D. Swope

Charles David Swope Jr. (Dave) moved on from this world on March 20, 2026. Dave was born on March 25, 1945 to Charles and Eva Swope and raised in the sleepy little town of Fort Seneca, Ohio. He graduated from Old Fort High School in 1963. He moved on to graduate from Ohio University in 1967.  During his college years, he became a life-long member/brother of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and has enjoyed the friendships of those brothers to the end.  After college, Dave joined IBM and had a 38-year run in his career there. After leaving IBM, he became a real estate agent for the next ten years before finally retiring.

Dave’s hobbies became his passions in life.  He learned to scuba dive and spent as much time as he could underwater in the North Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.  With his captain’s license, he ran his boat “FINS” as a charter dive boat in Long Island Sound. He loved open water and tried to be afloat whenever possible. Dave became a volunteer at the New Jersey Maritime Museum in Beach Haven, NJ and contributed however he could to promote the museum to its patrons and visitors. Most of all, he studied New Jersey shipwrecks and developed a large network of shipwreck friends who helped him create and add to the historic files for the museum.

Dave is predeceased by his parents, Charles, Sr. and Eva Duffey Swope. He is also predeceased by Sandy, the best dog ever.  He is survived by his daughter Nancy and husband David Black, son Christopher and wife Jessica.  He is also survived by his siblings Ann Scullion and John Swope. Grandchildren include Lillian Eleanor (Lily) and Penelope Eva (Penny).  And missing Dave the most is Toby, the other best dog ever who was his constant companion through the COVID-19 lockdowns and beyond.  

There will be no funeral or memorial service for Dave.  He will be cremated and his ashes scattered over a shipwreck yet to be decided.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the New Jersey Maritime Museum (NJMM.org).

All of Dave’s life after age 14 was a gift for which he is grateful.  He thanks those who participated in his life in any way.  To quote the wise and eloquent Capt. Eddie Boyle, "I was here at a good time and I had a good time while I was here.”  Thank you all.

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