James W. Swan ’57

Rusty came to Princeton from the Blake School in Minneapolis. At Princeton he majored in economics, played 150-pound football, and joined Cap & Gown. His roommates were Bill Barnard, Cullom Davis, Ed Goldman, Dave Grumhaus, Charlie Hauser, Neal McCorvie, Paul Schnatz, Bob Torrey, and Sam Williams.

After Princeton he served in the Navy as an officer. He worked at Honeywell in the 1960s selling computers and then moved to his family’s company, which owned the Minneapolis Star and Tribune. In 1968 he relocated to Rapid City, S.D., and in 1971 he became the president and publisher of the Rapid City Journal. He retired in 1985.

Rusty and Esther “Elf” Freyborg married in 1963, with Charlie Hauser as best man. They filled their lives together with enthusiasm and gusto. They had two children, Alan and Nancy, and three grandchildren. Rusty contracted MRSA in the summer of 2012. He had a difficult time until his death Jan. 27, 2019. Elf was a dedicated caregiver during this stressful period.

Rusty was a trustee of the Class of 1957 Classmate Fund and gave generously to local charities. He was a voracious reader, and enjoyed skiing and golf. With a contagious smile and joyful attitude, he was perhaps the most effervescent member of our class. God bless Rusty!