Walter Roberts Swindells

Walter Roberts Swindells, 92, who came to Eureka Springs in 1972 from Florida "by way of New York, Texas, and California," sometime managing editor of The Anglican Digest (1974-1981) and founding editor (Old Stubby Fingers) of the Anglican News Exchange (1978-1985), died March 23, 2012. A retired Captain of Marines, an archaic term he loved to use, he was born in Washington, D.C., Nov. 2, 1919; was raised in Florida. He married Margaret Dutill on Aug. 17, 1941. His 21-year-career in the Marine Corps included World War II and the Korean conflict, where he was awarded the Bronze Star medal. He recently retired as secretary-treasurer and trustees' warden of the Society for Promoting and Encouraging Arts and Knowledge [of the Church]. At one time or another, he has served on the Eureka Springs Planning Commission, the governing bodies of the Fellowship of Concerned Churchmen, the Foundation for Christian Theology, and the Pilgrims' Hostel (Hot Springs). He was a parishioner and lay reader at St. Gabriel's Anglican Church, Springdale. He is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Dutill Swindells; and his oldest son, Mark B. Swindells. He is survived by his daughter, Lesley (Candy) and husband, David Townsend; daughter, Holly and husband, Thomas Simpson; and son, Scott Swindells and wife, Laurel Samson; nine grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters. Friends will gather with the family March 28, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Nelson Chapel of the Springs in Eureka Springs. A memorial service will be held at St. Gabriel's Anglican Church, Springdale, March 31 at 2 p.m. His ashes will be interred in St. Mark's Cemetery at Hillspeak in his adopted and beloved Arkansas Ozarks. Memorials may be made to St. Gabriel's Church; or to SPEAK, Inc. at Hillspeak, 805 CR 102, Eureka Springs 72632.