It is with great sadness and a heavy heart we announce the unexpected passing of Sean Swanson on March 13, 2023. Sean was born on December 30, 1967 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to parents Kathleen Weber and Sidney Swanson. Sean grew up in Laguna Beach/Southern California, moved to Humboldt as a teen and started Fortuna High, where he loved woodworking. He enjoyed surfing, the beach, riding dirt bikes, tearing up the hills around Swain’s Flat on his motorcycle, RC car racing and NASCAR. Sean worked in construction building houses and also as a painter. One of his most proud accomplishments was building and maintaining the Dennis Wendt Memorial Trail located at the north end of Fortuna.

As an adult Sean had many struggles and was headed down a bad path when an event happened that changed his life. River Life Foundation (RLF) began when Sean had hit rock bottom. As he walked along a river bar contemplating ending his life, he heard cries for help. A man was drowning and Sean, without hesitation, jumped in and saved him. At that point, Sean found his purpose: helping and serving others. He started RLF on July 5, 2008 with the promise to make a positive difference in Fortuna. Under Sean’s direction, RLF held monthly cleanups of homeless camps with 483,000 pounds of trash collected, provided positive outreach to the vulnerable homeless population with 193 people assisted by reuniting them with family, onto a job or into rehab and held community holiday meals. RLF’s mission was, and in honor of Sean, still is to make a positive difference in the community.

Sean is survived by his mom Kathleen Weber, his children Sean Kelly Swanson, Jr. and Morgan Lee Swanson (Adam) and grandson Adam Barnhart Jr., his children’s mother Tiffany Brink, stepmother Debbie Swanson, half-sisters Amy Heltemes and Heidi Barthel, half-brother Joshua Swanson. Sean is also survived by his beloved fiancée Jenifer Larue and her daughter Lily Larue and all his RLF “trashy homie” volunteers too numerous to name individually.

Sean was preceded in death by his father Sidney Swanson, step father George Weber, his dog Boscoe, and special friends Dennis Wendt, Bob Wilson and Phil Leavitt.

A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 1pm to 3pm at the Fortuna Veteran’s Hall. Bring your stories and memories to share!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Christ Lutheran Church discretionary fund to 2132 Smith Lane, Fortuna, CA 95540, memo: River Life Foundation.

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