Ralph Robert Swoboda, 85, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 11, 2013, in Dallas, Texas. He is survived by his wife Rosemary Arcola Swoboda, daughter and her husband Mary Jane and Robert Broadfoot, son Paul William Swoboda, daughter and son-in-law Diane and Tim Zeb, his sister Rita Eide, and grandchildren Arianna, Alexander, and Adam Zeb, and Paul and Benjamin Broadfoot. Ralph was born June 10, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan. At age 17 during World War II he joined the US Merchant Marine where he saw active combat in the Atlantic. He later joined the US Navy where he became a photojournalist, and was honorably discharged in 1954. That same year he married Rosemary, to whom he remained happily married for 58 years. He graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans, and in 1990 retired from work as auditor for the Small Business Administration. Ralph enjoyed classical music, photography, and writing stories for most of his life. This remarkable man once taught tai chi to residents of Storey Lane Independent Living and PLAN, his two favorite non-profit organizations. An avid reader and writer, Ralph left behind a wide array of books and writings that his grandchildren will cherish. He loved God, his church, and his family. Thanks to his dedicated nurse Lori Rozas of Novus Health Services, and to the loving caregivers at Evergreen Assisted Living. A Catholic Memorial Mass will occur at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Farmers Branch on Thursday March 21 at noon, followed by interment at D/FW National Cemetery in Dallas at 3:15 PM. In lieu of flowers, and due to Lent, donations if desired may be made to SLIL (Storey Lane Independent Living), c/o Tom Dearing CPA, 901 Waterfall Way, suite 205, Richardson, TX 75080.Please send the family condolences and sign the guestbook on this site.