Roll Call Tribute

Marvin N. Swink 
February 16, 1932 - May 17, 2022

Marvin N. Swink, 90, a longtime resident of Albuquerque, N.M., died peacefully on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz. He is survived by his wife, Martha, of 65 years; brother, Albert Lewis Swink of Dallas, Texas; son, Marvin and wife Christine Swink of Niceville, Fla.; daughter, Michele and husband Mike Donah of Phoenix; and grandsons Marc and Mackenzie Donnell. Marvin was preceded in death by his father and mother, Albert and Hazel Swink.

Marvin was born on Feb. 16, 1932, and grew up in Amarillo, Texas, with his two older sisters, younger brother, Albert "Peanut" and his mother, Hazel.

Marvin was very active in sports and received a track scholarship to Texas A&M. After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering he was commissioned in the United States Air Force and flew as a navigator. Following four years of military service, Marvin continued to work as a civilian for the Department of Defense in the new and emerging nuclear field.

When he was stationed in Albuquerque, he met, fell in love and married Martha Armijo. They settled in Albuquerque and began a family that grew to include son Marvin II and daughter Michele. After leaving government service, Marvin began a very long career in the oil and gas field. He began with the Gas Company of New Mexico and then moved to work with firms in Texas, California and eventually to the state of Alaska. Marvin worked in a variety of challenging positions, including an Alaska pipeline program manager to being a landman for permitting.

Marvin finally retired in 2006, and moved with his wife, Martha to Marana, Ariz., for a peaceful and well-deserved retirement. But Marvin never really did retire; he was a lifetime member of Rotary and headed the program of giving underprivileged children a dictionary of their very own. Additionally, Marvin's last "job" was being on the board of directors at Marana Health Care in his hometown of Marana. Marvin enjoyed all sports as well as fishing and hunting. His passion was golf, and he was able to brag of shooting below his age on three separate occasions.

A mass was held for him at the St. Thomas More Church in Glendale, Ariz., on May 26, 2022, and he will be interred in Albuquerque at a later date. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made in "Memory of Marvin Swink" at Marana Health Care, Attention MHC Foundation, 13395 N. Marana St., Marana, AZ 85653.