We are pleased to share the following messages with family and friends Notes: I have worked for the Department of Labor, Longshore since 1978 first as a claims examiner and the district director snce 1989. Over the years I had numerous opportunities to interface with Doug over a variety of Longshore related issues. In my opinion there were not many attorneys that I have dealt with over the years that had Doug's integrity and honesty. He was one of the best claimant's advocates in the Longshore community. Karen P. Staats Many years ago, Michael, Doug and Ray asked me to share law offices with them above the old Elephant and Castle. Jane was our office manager, Bev Stein was my next door neighbor. I never thought I brought much to the office, except a practice representing mostly HIV-positive people and others who were often under- represented. But Jane and "boys" made me feel welcome and a part of their world, of representing people who might otherwise not look to the law for a solution to their problems. I was not surprised by the number of people at Lewis and Clark last night, indeed, the numbers were a testimony to the many lives that the firm, and Doug in particular, touched and changed. I remember one occassion of collaborating with the firm when the Lawyer's Committee on Latin America wanted to make a statement at the OSB convention in Eugene. On a long shot, I contacted Leon Gotlieb, and to my, and the firms amazement, he sent four large canvasas with which we papered the booth that had been assigned to us. Art and politics what a mix! And so, in remembering Doug, I am reminded of this statement by Goethe: "When we are faced with the great superiority of another person we have no means of safety but love." And so it is, with love, that we say goodbye. Ben Merrill My work with Doug on Longshore cases was only brief and sporadic, but I worked with him enough to see that he was good and decent. Some people in their legal work tend to create problems where none exist. In contrast, Doug seemed to make things better when he became involved. Doug's absence leaves a hole in the Longshore community that will not be filled for a long time. I am very, very sorry for the tragedy you must endure, and for the loss that we have all experienced. Marianne Smith I had the pleasure and honor to work for Doug and his partners from 1995 to 2000. My office was right next to Doug's. He was always helpful, available and personable. He was one of the nicest, kindest people I have ever met. Even when we disagreed, he was always a gentlemen and respected my differing views. His heart burned for justice and for the downtrodden. He was one of those people who I will always remember as a great and positive influence in my life. I will miss him and think of him often. Alan Graf This isn't really a remembrance, but a joke that came to me via email today from my sister, who was a big fan of Doug's. She had met him at my wedding, and at our summer family camping one year, and at various family celebrations over the years. I thought it would be a joke he would like...maybe even add to that (in)famous joke book. I think that, beyond this, we've said what we can to Jane and the kids. A Kiss to Remember A San Francisco cabby picks up a nun. She gets into the cab and the driver won't stop staring at her in the rear view mirror. She asks him why he is staring and he replies, "I have a question to ask you, but I don't want to offend you." She answers, "My dear son, you cannot offend me. When you're as old as I am and have been a nun as long as I have, you get a chance see and hear just about everything. I'm sure that there's nothing you could say or ask that I would find offensive." Well, I've always had a fantasy to kiss a nun." She responds, "Well, let's see what we can do about that: #1 You have to promise you are single The cab driver is very excited and says, "Yes, I am single and I'm Catholic too!" "OK", the nun says, "Pull into the next alley" He does and the nun fulfills his fantasy with a kiss that would make a hooker blush. But when they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying. "My dear child, said the nun, Why are you crying?" "Forgive me sister, but I have sinned. I lied, I must confess, "I'm married and I'm Jewish." The nun says, "That's OK, my name is Kevin and I'm on my way to a Halloween Party. Roberta Lampert My husband sustained an on-the-job traumatic brain injury in 1991. We were totally lost for almost 3 years, until an Occupational Therapist referred us to Doug. That referral changed our lives. Right from the start, Doug was always there for us. He came to every monthly conference, he spent as much time as we needed to explain every step we were going through, he took every phone call from us, though quite often he was answering the same questions we'd asked previously -- head-injured people do that!! He never spoke down to us, and he treated my husband with total respect and compassion during his recovery. His professionalism and unwavering assistance dramatically improved our quality of life. At our darkest time, Doug was our hero and helped us survive a terrifying ordeal. And after all these years, we recently referred a friend to Doug and immediately got an email back, thanking us and "checking up" on us. We're so happy we had this final contact. We offer our deepest condolences for the incredible loss you are all feeling. Please know that there are many of us whose lives were enriched by knowing Doug, and we all hold you and your families in our thoughts and prayers. Micki Cross and Cedric Jenkin
Jane, Derek & Miguel: Of course most of my relationship with Doug was through soccer, but for years I saw him, often with Derek, once a week, and often for a beer or two after a game. I will always remember his stupid white shoes, in those days nobody wore white shoes to play soccer, except doug, somehow he pulled it off, he was such a tremendous team mate, he did the hard, dirty work, he was such a competitor - but always fair and sporting. His joy for the game, and for life was overwelling. So, now lots of players wear white shoes - I think doug was just way ahead of the fashion curve. Migeul, I remember you as a very young man, coming to games. Derek, I remember you as a very young man, and then a slightly older one coming to games - I remember as you got older, and I refereed some of your games, we shared a wink or two on the field. But most of all I remember the relationship he had with you two, I can only hope that my relationship with my boys can measure up to that. Besides soccer, doug and I shared many of the same beliefs about religion, politics, ethics, etc. For the past several years we had more of a "Christmas card" relationship, just keeping in touch, but whenever we would run into each other, usually at a soccer game, we would catch up, I last saw doug about six months ago, and it was as we had seen each other the day before. Doug was that kind of guy. Jevan Williams To the Family and Friends of Doug Swanson, I cannot begin to find the words that could convey how saddened and heartbroken I am to learn of Doug‚s untimely death. He should have lived to be 100 and watch his grandchildren grow to adulthood. Unfortunately, fate did not have the same plan. I am amazed as I have spoken to people, that they often said, "the last time I saw him, he was/we were..." And then the story would go on about what ever it was that he always did so well. Time and again, we members of the brain injury community remember him as someone who always gave of himself to the Brain Injury Support Group and Association of Oregon. During the four years that I served as President of the Brain Injury Support Groups of Portland, he served on the board. He was always available for counsel and advice, and helped so much in the merger of the two organizations. I knew that I could phone him at any time and he would always take my call. Doug was such a patient man when, during our board meetings, some of the survivors exhibited their deficits, which would frustrate other members of the board. But using his casual, thoughtful, insightful demeanor he was able to bring to closure many issues. He was always available to speak for events and conferences, participate in fundraisers and did everything possible to help the organization. His loss is a great one for the brain injury community. For me personally, Doug‚s loss is greater. He supported my business when I became self- employed. He always wanted to know how else he could help my small business. And he cared, as anyone would care, for a good friend for whom you held a great sense of esteem. I cannot imagine how those who were close to him are feeling at this time of such a great loss. While they say that time heals all wounds, it seems that Doug‚s loss will be felt endlessly, as he gave so much of himself to his family, friends and community. I want to extend to you my deepest condolences for the loss of such a great man. Heaven is a better place for his presence there. Kristi Schaefer Jane, Derek & Miguel: I am an attorney who has had the privilege of knowing Doug, and I do mean privilege. Jane, he always spoke so highly of you to me. You meant the world to him. He was so proud of your strength. We talked about my cancer, and about your determination to overcome health issues. I last saw Doug at the Workers' Rights Conference here in Coos Bay. I sat in on his presentation to the injured workers group. At one point, Doug pointed me out to the group and said I might have a few comments. I told the group that they were already hearing from the expert of experts and there was no better person to talk to about the rights of injured workers than Doug Swanson. That is the last time we talked. I did note, however, this morning, that taped to the top of my computer is a copy of a detailed email Doug sent to OTLA discussing New Medical Condition claims and giving all the cites and caselaw. That was Doug. To Derek and Miguel - You need to know in your hearts what an exceptional person your father was - The word "ordinary" could never apply to him. Be extraordinary in all you do. If one's value is measured by the people left behind who love you, your dad built a treasure on earth. Juli Upton Jane, Derek, and Miguel, Your dad and husband was a wonderful person. May his love for you and your memories of his generous life help lessen your pain. Doug was one of my role models and he made me proud to be a workers comp lawyer. When I quit my WC practice, I sent all of my clients to Doug because I knew he would take care of them. Doug was the best and everyone had so much respect for him. I am sorry you lost your wonderful husband and dad. Oregon workers lost a fine advocate. And we all lost a great friend. With love,
I have known Doug for 25 years through the National Lawyers' Guild and in our common work representing injured workers, as a neighbor, and more recently as parents of students at the Environmental Middle School. Doug as a political activist and zealous lawyer for the oppressed has been a constant inspiration to me. He is the compassionate, passionate generous role model whom I strive to emulate. I am finding it very very difficult to cope with his death. He did not die in vain. He affected so many of us so profoundly. He will live on in our hearts, minds and actions and the world is and will be a better place for his having walked among us. Thank you Doug. Long live Doug Swanson! Ron Fontana Heartfelt grief, the loss so sudden and so enormous, the emotions too powerful to manage. At such times we remember that there is a Grand Design that life be informed by the intensity of our emotions, and we remember to be glad of the ability to feel so deeply. And so we mourn; we are sad beyond expression, and we review, awaiting the time when we shall refocus, because we will need each other still to be strong enough to emerge whole from this defeat. A friend Doug's family, friends and colleagues should have had many more years with him. He touched many people and will be missed very much. Paula Barran and Barran Liebman LLP I met Doug while he was still in law school and working as an intern at Dave Owens' office, where I was a legal assistant. It was easy to see even then the kind of man and attorney he would become. The world is a sadder place with Doug gone, but a better place for him having been here. My heart and prayers go out to Doug's family. Janet Nelson Burdick Just a few lines to let you know how much I enjoyed meeting your husband. You and Doug were kind enough host PCRI's Christmas Party the year I arrived in Portland. That's when I first met Doug, Derek and Miguel. Miguel was just a little tike and Derek was about Miguel's age now or a little younger. My, how they have grown. Doug was very friendly, funny and he had a great personality. I remember thinking, "Jane did herself well with this man". I know you loved your husband dearly and he loved you. In memory of the love and life you shared with this fine man Jane, I offer this poem titled: I Want to Die While You Love Me I want to die while you love me, I want to die while you love me, I want to die while you love me, I want to die while you love me -Georgia Douglas Johnson Jane, you and the boys are in my prayers. I am so sorry about your loss - Sincerely, I've had many longshore cases with Doug over the years and have many currently. We met in my office week before last and we talked about our kids, their sports, their dreams. Though I've always been on the other side of these cases, Doug has consistently been fair, reasonable, completely ethical and very concerned about his client's needs. For these reasons, he has always been my "favorite opponent." I am, as we all are at Liberty Northwest, very sorry for your terrible loss. Jennifer Weston My deepest condolences to Doug's family, friends,co-workers and cohorts. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to post a message. I had hoped to attend the memorial service but could not make the trip. I now reside in San Diego but my roots are in Portland and my work and family take me there often. I know that many of us felt an immediate need to share because of the profound effect that Doug had on the whole workers' comp. field. As a vocational rehab. counselor, my eyes always lit up when I received a new case and Doug was the attorney. He had a rare compassion for his clients that took him far beyond merely, "what the law required". He saw the big picture and wanted his clients to truly thrive, not just survive. It was a joy to work on a case with Doug, even when I was on the opposing side. His passion was contagious and it motivated me to do a better job. That inspiration will remain with me. Roy Katzen I am African Black Male that was and is a client of your husband. Doug was a special man to me. A special Christian, with armor from God. He had a heart that did not have hate or race in his thoughts. I‚m sitting here with tears of sadness in my heart. I lost my son Dec. 15, 1998. I known the pain you‚re feeling in your heart and mind. Ms. Swanson and children‚s, I say this to you. Doug was a good man and a very good Christian to those who new him. Mrs. Swanson remember this, there‚s a place beyond this world that you two will be together again, without the pain. Only the love that God has instills upon you two. Roosevelt W. Harris II I have known Doug for about 15 years and have always considered him such an honerable,generous friend. From a business standpoint, he went of his way to provide references on my behalf to out of state attorneys calling him to inquire about my work with him in Portland. My most enjoyable times with Doug were at our sporadic lunch get togethers when we would talk about our families and our kids and of course politics! To the family, I am so sorry for your horrific loss for such a wonderful human being. Tom Weiford |