MEL SWENDSEN Melvin (Mel) Swendsen, 82, of Seneca, SC, and formerly of Honesdale, PA and West Palm Beach, FL, died on November 24, 2021, at his home. Melvin attended Penn State to earn a BS in Civil Engineering and a ROTC Commission in the U.S. Army. After many years as a successful engineer, in the 1990s Melvin transitioned to the state of Florida continuing his involvement in healthcare construction. He was the founding partner of Arcadia Oakes Assisted Living in Arcadia and Atlantis Assisted Living in Lake Worth. At an industry conference, he met a healthcare administrator named Anita and began the happiest years of his life. Mel and Anita were married in 2001 and finished their careers together. Being equally adept in real estate, they built and enjoyed vacation homes in Ocala National Forest and the Finger Lakes, meeting neighbors who then became friends to the entire family. In 2015 they found the perfect location to build their dream home on the shore of Lake Keowee. As a teenager, Mel and his dad built a hydroplane that provided the first of a lifetime of boating adventures for “Captain Mel.” From Duck Harbor to Jupiter Inlet and many lakes in between, Mel loved his life on the water that was always shared with family and friends. His sister Joyce A. Swendsen Schwinn (William) and parents A. Cecil Swendsen and Helen E. Olver Swendsen preceded him in death. Left to cherish Melvin’s memory are his wife of 20 years, Anita L. Swendsen, as well as his daughters Teri J. Bernard (Vincent), Susan E. Harris, and Dena J. Wagner (Daniel); Melvin’s brother Gerald E. Swendsen (Marilyn) and nephew Peter V. Swendsen (Adina), niece Eberlin V. Schwinn (Ken Davis), and nephew W. Whit Schwinn (Patty); 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 3 great nephews and several cousins. Today Anita’s sons, Paul and Michael Glismann (Stephanie), each manage one of the Florida healthcare facilities. Melvin is also leaving behind a score of mutually supportive friends who showed up for his 80th birthday along with his Lake Keowee neighbors who celebrate everything and anything at the drop of a hat. He will also be greatly missed by his loyal labrador, Casey. Per Mel’s wishes, a Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. A message of condolence may be written to the family by visiting www.sandiferfuneralhome.com. SANDIFER FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE SWENDSEN FAMILY.