Wayne E. Swegle

Wayne Earl Swegle, 89, passed away on October 13, 2015 in Ames, Iowa. He was born to parents, Jay and Rosamond (Cowles) Swegle on a farm just south of Indianola, Iowa and graduated from Indianola High School. He enrolled at Iowa State College, as it was known then, at the early age of 16.

His schooling was interrupted by service in the Army Air Force during WWII, but he returned to Iowa State in 1947, becoming Editor of The Agriculturist magazine, writing for the Iowa State Daily newspaper and joining the Alpha Gamma Rho and Sigma Delta Chi fraternities. He graduated with a degree in agricultural journalism in 1949. He met Louise Brooks in college and they married in 1950. Following graduation, he worked with the Iowa State Extension service and the Michigan State Extension service in East Lansing.

His first career position began in 1952 when he joined the staff of Successful Farming magazine as Assistant Editor in charge of economics and farm management. He became the Managing Editor in 1962. In 1972, USDA Secretary of Agriculture, Earl Butz, asked Wayne to join the department as Assistant to the Secretary and Director of Public Affairs. He served until 1975, when he became President of the Millers’ National Federation and later, Vice President of the Food and Agricultural Committee for the National Planning Association. After 31 years of marriage he and Louise divorced in 1981. Wayne ended his working career with Winrock International, leading him to Arkansas where he retired. Living in the Little Rock area, he met Sandra Hambrick and they were married in 2008; they divorced in 2014.

Wayne also worked with the Ford Foundation, documenting the Green Revolution in Pakistan and interviewing his friend and colleague, Norman Borlaug and others in many countries. He also volunteered time as President of the Arkansas Chapter of Partners of the Americas. Earning too many awards to mention, one most treasured was the Lifetime Achievement Award given him in 2013 by the American Agricultural Editors Association (AAEA).

He loved traveling, playing bridge, and attending to his tree farm in Osceola. He was a pilot, professional photographer, boating enthusiast and attended the St. James Methodist Church in Arkansas. He loved his family most of all and never missed a chance to get together.

Wayne was preceeded in death by his parents; daughter, JoLynn (Steve) Abner; and great-grandson, Carson Dowie. Survivors include his children, Laurie Swegle of West Des Moines, Sheri (Steve) Reynolds of Osceola, Gary (Lee) Swegle of Indian Head, MD; former wife, Louise B. Swegle of Osceola; ex-wife Sandra Swegle of Hot Springs, AR; seven grandchildren, Jason Dowie, Ryan Dowie (Caleigh), Sarah Reynolds (Cody Keller), Katie Reynolds Marmon, Erin Abner (Brandon) Shaffer and Allison and Kelsey Swegle; nine great-grandchildren, Connor and Jack Dowie, Bryanna and Gannon Dowie, Mya and Austin Keller, Mallory and Ryker Marmon and Ethan Shaffer; sisters, Winona Peters of Fort Dodge, Mary Osenbaugh of Maineville, OH; and brother, J. Alan (Mary) Swegle of Cedar Rapids.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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