Keith was diligent in his studies, attending summer school and finishing his BS in three years. He had been accepted to Harvard Medical School, but decided to attend medical school at the University of Iowa. The couple agreed to get married before entering medical school, so on September 10, 1954, they tied the knot. The next 4 years of medical school were filled with odd jobs for both: typing thesis papers, working as a nurse, painting houses, and living in small apartments on a pullout couch. Married life was full of adventures. In 1958 Keith graduated from Medical School at the University of Iowa, did a year internship at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines, and the same year, his first child was born, Laura.
Keith started his General Practice in Hull, Iowa. Four more children were born: Eric, Jeffrey, Shelley, and Scott. In 1965, Keith went into surgical residency at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, IA. After completing their surgical residency, the Swansons moved to Atlantic, IA, where Keith established his own medical practice and performed surgery at five surrounding hospitals. An office call was $13.00, a house call was $18.00, and delivering a baby was $200.00. Dr. Swanson started his day at 5:00 am, making hospital rounds, and at 6:00 am, his RN and surgical nurse, Sharon Smith, would drive with him to Greenfield, Audubon, Guthrie Center, Manning, or Atlantic, regardless of the weather conditions (rain, shine, ice, or snowstorm), to perform general surgery. At 1:00 pm, the office would be open for General Practice. Dr. Swanson was usually home by 5:30 pm for dinner with the family and then back to the hospital at 6:30 pm for more rounds.
Dr. Keith Swanson was passionate about being involved in the community. He sang tenor at the United Methodist Church, was on the church board, was a Mason for 65 years, was on many school boards, was an Atlantic City Council member, was the Mayor of Atlantic from 1974-77, was on the Simpson College Board of Trustees for over 24 years, and the list goes on. Dr. Swanson was rarely seen sitting down; when he did, it was usually while watching various sporting events or playing bridge with his wife and friends.
Over the years, Dr. Swanson and his wife would travel with their good friends Marvin (Fritz) and Dot Diekevers to foreign lands, visiting over 18 countries. Keith also enjoys his missionary work in Romania and Guatemala. However, Doc was most comfortable at home, driving around, looking at the farmers’ crops.
In 1997, Dr. Swanson officially “retired. Doc decided sitting and doing nothing wasn’t for him, he wanted to do missionary work in Africa. His wife said that people here need help too, so Doc became the “Donation Only Doc”. Dr. Swanson reopened his office, set out a red shoe box with the word “Donation” written across the front in black marker. Dr. Swanson was not going to take insurance or charge for office calls. He only wanted people to donate what they could afford. He just wanted to help people. He spent many years donating his time at the office, with his wife, Berniece, at the front desk. At age 87, Doc thought he was finally ready to retire and closed up the office for good. Both he and Berniece could now concentrate on their solitaire games and mow their large lawn.
Doc would frequently be heard saying, “Is there anything I can do for you?” He would speak to anyone and everyone; he loved hearing other people’s stories. Doc said he had never met a stranger; they were just someone he hadn’t met yet. Doctor Swanson’s goal in life was to serve God and help people. On the wall of his office’s waiting room hung a painting that said, “Physicians treat, God heals.”
On Nov. 6, 2024, Doc fell and cracked his pelvis in 2 places. His health deteriorated after the fall. Dr. Swanson donated his body to the University of Iowa Medical School.
No services are planned. You may go to: schmidtfamilyfuneralhomes.com to leave a message for the family.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the family for future designation.
