Chester Charles Swanson, local veterinarian and farmer, passed away in his home on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, after a brief period of hospice care. He was 90 years old.

Born on December 15, 1935, to Charles and Dagmar Swanson in Crystal Lake, IL, he spent his childhood on a farm with his parents and six siblings. Chester graduated from Crystal Lake Illinois High School in 1953 and enlisted in the United States Air Force (1954-58) where he served as a weather observer in Germany and traveled through Europe during his service.

Upon fulfilling his military obligations, he attended Northern Illinois University in De Kalb to complete his undergraduate studies, and then the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for veterinary school. This is where he met his future wife, Rebecca (Becky) Leggin, who mistook him for a professor because he was older and carried a worn briefcase. He completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1965 after marrying Becky on September 5, 1964. It wasn’t long before they started a family and Chester began working as a veterinarian in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He worked there for a year before settling in Random Lake where he practiced until 2005. They built a home in the country and Chester was able to pursue his lifelong love of farming by first raising pigs and beef cows and then starting a dairy herd in 1977.

Chester (“Pop” to his kids) was an avid photographer and could often be seen with his Pioneer corn baseball cap turned backwards on his head to facilitate picture taking. He loved fishing and camping and taking his family on many vacations that united these two loves – mainly after first crop hay was off the field and in the middle of the week when fewer people were present at the campgrounds. He also enjoyed traveling and visiting close and distant relatives, and of course, taking many pictures to document his and Becky’s travels. Chester was a typical Dane, with a sweet tooth and a love for Peanut M&Ms, Snickers Bars, Crunch and Munch, fruit pies, and Danish Kringle. Along with dairy farming, Chester planted many trees on his property (accompanied by one of his loyal canine friends, but notably his buddy Lily the nearly white yellow lab), and over the years converted a field into a forest. He also dug ponds that were enjoyed by his family and wildlife alike. As his mobility decreased over the years, he redirected his energies to ordering anything and everything from Amazon that might help him continue his handyman/farmer endeavors (and feed his sweet tooth).

He is survived by his wife, Becky, the love of his life and partner with whom he shared nearly 62 years; his children Peter (Wendy), Paul, Kirsten (Jim) Zellmer, and Katie (Trevor) Field; grandchildren Tatiana (Cory) Wicker, Abby, Grace, Emily and Erin Swanson, Becky (Hunter) Ryczek, Nicole (PJ) Hayes, Daniel (Hannah) Zellmer, Annie (Justin) Whitehouse, Samantha Schwartz (fiancé Jacob Stone) and Jacob (Mel) Schwartz; and two great grandsons (Harrison Schwartz (parents Jacob and Mel) and Bennett Zellmer (parents Daniel and Hannah)). He is also survived by his sister, Sylvia Rudich and her husband Graham Duryee, numerous nieces and nephews, and cousins with whom he kept in close touch.

Chester was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Dagmar as well as his brothers Harold (Natalie), Perry (Barb) and Virgil (Wendy) and two sisters, Judi (John) Wett and Cheryl Hincks.

Chester lived a good life, surrounded by family and friends. He loved going to farms (often taking pictures of the scenery along the way) and having long visits with his clients who would hang on his open truck door window just to talk. He was a devoted husband and father, and an amazing man with a mind like a steel trap right up to the end. Chester was especially proud of his family and his homestead – a life well led. He will be deeply missed.

Special thanks to the Silver Creek and Random Lake Fire and Rescue, Aurora Hospice (especially nurse Julie and CNA Kaitlyn), The Eggert Family and all the friends and family who gave support along the way. If you would like to express your love for Chester, we ask that you make a donation to the Silver Creek Fire Department or the Arbor Day Foundation in lieu of sending flowers. A celebration of life is being planned in October – please contact family for full details.