John C. Swartzwelder

John C. “Bud” Swartzwelder, 93, of Bedford, died on Monday, October 20, 2025 at his residence. He was born on August 24, 1932 in Bedford, a son of the late John D. Swartzwelder and Evelyn (Fickes) Stinson. On July 2, 1979, in Winchester, VA, he married Theresa (Simonet) Swartzwelder and she preceded him in death on January 21, 2013. He is survived by two daughters, Melanie DeCicco and husband Peter of Port St. Lucie, FL and Suzanne Swartzwelder of Bedford; a step-son, Barry Jensen; two grandchildren: Gabrielle Pajewski and husband Tom and Ashley Propper and husband Sam; five great-grandchildren: Hailey and Brandon Pajewski, and Adalyn, Lily, and Cory Propper; and his former wife, Barbara Roberts. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Wendy Lou Swartzwelder, a grandson, Phillip J. DeCicco, and a great-grandson, Derrick Pajewski.

John graduated from Bedford High School, class of 1950. After graduating, he worked at The Franklin Works in the Bethlehem Steel Mills from 1951 to 1952. He served in the U.S. Navy reserves from January of 1951 until January of 1955, and was active duty from June 3, 1952 to March 2, 1954 where he served on the U.S. Saipan as a Third Class Radarman (RD3). After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he worked in many northeastern states with HL Gentry Pipeline Construction from 1955 to 1957. John then attended the former Capital Radio Electronic Institute (CREI) in Laurel, MD from 1957 to 1959, graduating Suma Cum Laude and obtaining his associates degree in electrical engineering. He found his career within Bell Labs for 28 years until his retirement in 1987. His favorite memory of Bell Labs would be when he helped develop the Moog synthesizer before commercially used, which prompted Stevie Wonder to visit and hear John play “Twinkle Twinkle little star” from the synthesizer.

He enjoyed traveling throughout the country and talking to anyone that would listen, never meeting a stranger.

Funeral Services will be private. Arrangements by the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford. Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.