The Free Press, Mankato, MN - Andrew Swanson 'the real deal'

Sun, Nov 22 2009

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Andrew Swanson’s casket is removed from First Presbyterian Church in Mankato, where Thursday services were held for the 36-year-old Mankato physician.
John Cross

Mountain climbing fed into the adventurous spirit of Andrew Swanson, who lost his life June 11 while scaling Mount McKinley, a peak that had also foiled him in the past.
Submitted photo

Andrew Swanson 'the real deal'

Surgeon remembered as experience-seeker

By Brian Ojanpa
Free Press Staff Writer

Mount McKinley, or Denali, turned out to be Swanson’s ultimate nemesis. In an aborted attempt to reach its peak several years ago, Swanson wrote in his journal of his frustrations over the pair’s inability to conquer it.

“This mountain is far bigger than us, truly,” he wrote. “I have a hard time not considering myself a failure, but it’s time to head home.”

Friend Steve Scholer, in his tribute, said he’d always wondered what motivated Swanson to be so adventurous, to “live life to the fullest that so many of us strive for, but that so many of us find elusive.”

Scholer said he eventually realized that his friend’s gift came from his parents, Gene and Eydie.

“They gave him their unconditional love, and with that unconditional love, the world was his.”

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