By Robert Farago
August 3, 2008 -
One of the reasons TTAC writers have a take-no-prisoners attitude: they know they're going to die. If you have a strong sense of morality, and accept the fact of your mortality, you realize you might as well make some noise before your time is up. To paraphrase Adlai Stevenson and Dylan Thomas, it's better to light a roman candle and curse the darkness than go gently into that good night. I never met Glenn Swanson face-to-face. I wouldn't have recognized him if I'd passed him on the street. But as writer, he was one of us. Glenn's sense of humor, passion, cynicism and perfectionism qualified him for duty. On Friday night, Glenn died of leukemia. He's the first of our writers to shuffle off this mortal coil. Obviously, he will not be the last. Meanwhile, Glenn will be missed. His spirit and work will be remembered by those who are not afraid to tell the truth about cars, and those who are willing to listen.
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August 3rd, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Good writers are not a dime a dozen, with the passing of Glenn Swanson the whole world of writers has lost someone that will be hard to replace, especially in the World of Vehicles,may he rest in peace and my sympathy to his family too.
August 3rd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Very sorry to hear this. Hopefully he is in car heaven, where the light is always green, the roads paved, curvy and challenging, and the exhaust note is like the singing of angels.
August 3rd, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Glenn will be missed. I chatted with him several times, he was a genuine car guy and a true gentleman. And we were both right about buying Honda stock a few months back, if only I wised up and bought it.
I’m sure he’s having a blast piloting old iron and new Civics up in Heaven, smiling down on all of us. :)
August 3rd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
I’m sorry to hear about Mr. Swanson. Enjoyed his writting. May he rest in peace.
August 3rd, 2008 at 5:28 pm
A loss indeed. My condolences to his family.
August 3rd, 2008 at 5:50 pm
My sincerest condolences to his friends and family.
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I wish his family and all those that he touched in his life the very best. Glenn was a kindred soul who will truly be missed.
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:31 pm
This breaks my heart… Glenn and I chatted many a time in private, about the joy of Honda gearboxes and getting an IS250 ‘when we get older and gave up driving.’ He was the only Truther I trusted to confide in when I was pregnant (I’m sure Frank guessed from my reviews, but Glenn was the only one I told), and he gave me many laughs during those long, morning-sickness-ridden months. He was a dear friend, and I’ll pour out a little 10W-30 every time I get an oil change, in his memory.
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:04 pm
My condolences to his family. Sorry to hear the sad news. I’ve been lucky to know a few like Glenn.
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:03 pm
This is sad news, I always enjoyed his work. My sympathy to his family.
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I’m sorry to hear it, condolences to his family and friends.
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
My condolences.
August 3rd, 2008 at 11:05 pm
My condolences to Glenn Swanson’s family and friends. The TTAC community shares your loss.
August 4th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Damn. I’m sorry to hear this. My condolences.
Robert or Frank: could we have a few of his best pieces reposted this week as a tribute?
August 4th, 2008 at 2:29 am
Godspeed, Mr. Swanson. You will be missed.
August 4th, 2008 at 3:19 am
Mr Swanson and I never saw eye to eye on practically anything car related. But there was never a boring moment!
I really am sorry to hear this. Condolences from across the pond.
August 4th, 2008 at 6:59 am
God’s grace to Glenn’s family. My prayers are with them.
He was a good guy.
Bunter
August 4th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Leaving laughter is a proud legacy for any man.
August 4th, 2008 at 7:36 am
A sad day. My condolences to the family.
Bob
August 4th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Sorry to hear that. Condolences to his friends and family.
August 4th, 2008 at 8:03 am
My condolences for his family
August 4th, 2008 at 9:06 am
What a sad day. He sure will be missed. My condolences to his family.
On a happier note, Congradulations Megan!
August 4th, 2008 at 9:16 am
My condolences to his family and friends. I second the motion to repost some of his TTAC posts.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:29 am
As a paramedic, I have learned all too well how fleeting and fragile life can be.
We must live for today, but not like there is no tomorrow. Although it is sometimes too short, every body gets a lifetime to effect others in the world. Glenn has effected all of us, and we are all a little worse off with his passing.
My very best to his family.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Rest in peace, Glenn.
Robert, I like the part about the roman candle.
James2 :
Very sorry to hear this. Hopefully he is in car heaven, where the light is always green, the roads paved, curvy and challenging, and the exhaust note is like the singing of angels.
You need a red light once in awhile, even in Heaven, for you cannot blast off if you don’t first come to a stop.
Plus, I like to think that the girls in Heaven are pretty; I wonder if flirting is allowed at streetcorners in heaven?
August 4th, 2008 at 11:16 am
My thoughts and prayers are with Glenn’s family. His love for his beautiful wife of 19 years was always evident in his private communications. I will sorely miss his wit and insight.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Robert or Frank: could we have a few of his best pieces reposted this week as a tribute?
Ditto. Sorry to hear that he’s gone.
August 4th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Condolences to his family and all of his friends, including all of us here at TTAC. From the “Other” Glenn. AKA Menno.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:39 am
Codolences to all his family
August 5th, 2008 at 11:31 am
I worked with Glenn, he was a great person, and was quite a shock when I received the voice-mail.
I knew Glenn for 4 years, he was my I.T support, we got along very well, and I consider him one of my friends.
He will be greatly missed.
RIP Glenn
There’s no Windows OS issues up there my friend.