Norman Edward Sward

NORMAN EDWARD SWARD, 66, passed away Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, in Little Rock surrounded by family and friends. He was born March 21, 1945, in Stuttgart. He graduated from Stuttgart High School in 1963 and from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1967. He then obtained a master's degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His career in healthcare began in 1978 at St. Vincent Infirmary. He moved to Dallas in 1982 to start his career in human resources at Baylor University Medical Center. He was employed at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for 22 years as a director of human resources. He is preceded in death by his parents, Cliff and Alice Sward. He is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Donna Baker Sward; his daughter, Dr. Brita Sward Deacon and her husband Cam Deacon; son Erik Sward and his wife Dr. Lindsey Bell Sward; and son, Dr. Nick Sward; brother, Dr. David Sward and his wife Carol; brothers- and sisters-in-law Richard and Mary Baker, Charlotte and Craig Carlson, and Karen and Keith Buchanan; father- and mother-in-law Richard and Violet "Pete" Baker, in addition to many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and his beloved dogs Cooper and Marley. An accomplished musician, Norman began playing the drums at age five. By eighth grade, he sat first chair in the senior high school band. He also played the keyboards and founded his own band in high school called The Blazers. In college, he played keyboards with The Bill Black Combo and The Gentrys. In addition to his musical accomplishments, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. A gifted public speaker, Norman gave speeches and announced his daughter's swim meets with wit and a flair for puns. He was happiest when he was on the beaches of Barbados with his family or at his home on the lake in Hot Springs Village. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Michael V. Aureli Arkansas Hospice Perpetual Endowment Fund, c/o Arkansas Hospice Foundation, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock 72116 or to Holy Souls Monsignor Allen Trust Fund, 1003 N. Tyler, Little Rock 72205. Visitation will be 5:30-7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 5, at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church, 1003 N. Tyler, Little Rock, followed by the Rosary at 7 p.m. The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, and officiated by Monsignor Lawrence Frederick. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.