Charles M. Swift Jr. ’62

Charley died Dec. 30, 2024, in Berkeley, Calif.

He came to us from Phillips Exeter, where he participated in crew. At Princeton, he majored in geology, ate at Campus Club, and was a member of the freshman crew and freshman hockey team. Following graduation, he received a Ph.D. from MIT in 1967.

After a few years with Kennecott Copper, Charley and his first wife, Tricia, moved with their two children to Berkeley, where he spent the rest of his career with Chevron, becoming internationally known as a geophysicist. He loved mountains and was an avid hiker, skier, and camper.

In 1992, Charley married Linda Dismore Raedeke, a fellow lover of geology and mountains. A year later, on a business trip to Australia, Charley was struck by a bus, incurring a traumatic brain injury and becoming legally blind. With courage and with Linda’s steadfast support, he recovered enough to continue a rich family life and to enjoy travel in Europe, New England, and along the California coast.

He is survived by Linda; daughter Alison; son Geoffrey; and five grandchildren. To Linda and his family, the class extends its condolences.