Richard Michael (Mike) Swartz died of complications of lupus on July 13, 2018 after seventeen weeks at Anschutz Medical Center in Denver.
Mike was born on November 30, 1947 in Hamilton, Ohio. He moved to Fort Collins with his parents in 1956, when he was nine years old, and attended Washington grade school, Lincoln Middle School, and Fort Collins High School.
He attended CSU, then went to work for Woodward Governor. After a few years, he installed dry wall in Aspen.
He returned to Fort Collins and worked as a software consultant at Woodward Governor for twenty-eight more years and at Cocreate and PTC. He retired in 2016.
Motorcycles were his passion and he enjoyed rallying with Honda riders for long-distance trips. He was also an avid gourmet cook.
He married Peggy Hudson on August 22, 1998.
Surviving relatives include Peggy, his parents, Howard and Betty Swartz, a son, Robert Swartz and grandson, Baron, all of Fort Collins. Also Alana Waldo (daughter) and son-in-law Mike Waldo, grandchildren Cameron and Emilia of Alma, NE.
In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to donate by cash or check only to Mike Swartz Memorial fund at First National Bank, 155 E. Boardwalk Drive, Fort Collins 80522 Attn: Beth Hile. Or contributions may be made electronically at
www.gofundme.com/mike-swartz-memorial
. This will be to assist with medical expenses, many of which were not covered by insurance.
A celebration of Mike's life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 531 S. College Ave. in Fort Collins on August 26, 3 p.m.