Dr. Isadore "Ed" Swerlick's Obituary
Dr. Isadore "Ed" Swerlick died on Monday, October 27 at Shands Hospital after a brief illness. Dr. Swerlick was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 23, 1921 to Mr. Morris Swerlick and Mrs. Anna Feinberg Swerlick. He attended Temple University, obtaining his BA in 1943. He entered active duty in the Navy in 1944, rising to the rank of first lieutenant. He left active duty after two years but remained in the naval reserves until 1956. After discharge from active duty he obtained his Ph.D in organic chemistry from Duke University in 1950, the same year he and Rhoda Weinman married.
He spent his professional life working the E. I. DuPont De Nemours & Company, with an expert focus on plastic products, resin and the polymer chemistry of films. During his over 30 year career as a research chemist at DuPont, he worked in Buffalo New York, Richmond Virginia, and Wilmington Delaware and was awarded over twenty patents.
After retirement from working at DuPont, he and his wife Rhoda spent the next 30 years of retirement in Florida, first in Bradenton and then moving to Oak Hammock as founding members ten years ago. He remained physically and intellectually active as a swimmer, reader, and participant in the variety of activities available in the Oak Hammock community. He was active in a host of professional societies including the American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi, and the AAAS. He was also a long standing member of B’nai Brith International, the Interfaith Alliance, the World Jewish Congress, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Anti-Defamation League, Hillel, and People for the American Way.
He was preceded in his death by his brothers Robert and Sonny. Dr. Swerlick is survived by his loving wife of over 64 years, Rhoda. In addition, he is also survived by his daughter Anne Swerlick, son-in-law Jim Ciotti, his son Robert Swerlick and his wife Prue Irby Swerlick, and his grandson Andrew Swerlick and his wife Arin Lattimore Swerlick, his grandson Morrie Swerlick, and granddaughter Maggie Swerlick.
Graveside Services will be conducted on Friday, October 31, 2014 at 1:30 p.m., in Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorials to Heifer International at www.heifer.org.
What’s your fondest memory of Isadore "Ed"?
What’s a lesson you learned from Isadore "Ed"?
Share a story where Isadore "Ed"'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Isadore "Ed" you’ll never forget.
How did Isadore "Ed" make you smile?
