We first met Dick on one of his early visits to Colorado to see his daughter, and our good friend, Jennifer.  Being teachers, we had an instant connection with Dick and enjoyed sharing many education related stories over the years.  We also looked forward to catching up with him over dinners, dominos, and our shared love of biking.  Dick's expertise and love of biking were always evident as he described his work with Wheels For Kids and his much appreciated advice on our own biking questions.

Dick did enjoy needling us about our Chicago Bears vs his beloved Green Bay Packers.  We even had him over to watch a Packers game on tv which was the ultimate sacrifice for us long suffering Bears fans.  It was just one of those things you do for a good friend😊

His Colorado visits and time together will be truly missed.  We will always have great memories of Dick and the time we spent with him over the years.

Bob and Amy  

Dear Geof and Jen.

I was visiting with Dick when I said I would be calling him and he told me he wasn’t expected to live very long.  I was crying when I hung up.  In the last few months a number of my colleagues have passed.  I don’t remember crying at those times.  There is something special about our friendship.  Memories of Dick Swain will be with me always.

“Do you play handball?” Was one of the first words I heard from Dick.  I accepted his challenge and we played that noon and many times after.  We always enjoyed competing against each other!

Dick taught 8th grade and I was the P.E. Teacher at the UWM Campus School.

Our mission was to crest research to enhance teaching and learning. 

DICK’S LEGACY:  he helped students and teachers  see freshly what we had done what was good.

These memories with Dick will be with me always.  Times at Wheeler Lake with Dick and his family was always open.

Boating, water skiing, fishing and scuba diving…we did it all. Every night was a party.  The beverage of choice was wine Dick and Helen had made. One night when the party got loud, young Geof yelled from his bedroom, “hey I want some.

Cycling was another of Dick’s passions. We told many stories about the bike trip to the U.P.  which is where we now live.

Dick invited me to be his first passenger when he got his pilot’s license.  He volunteered to fly our football scouts to game’s throughout the Midwest.  Getting those reports earlier enabled us to have the first winning season in twenty years.

When our daughter Liz was born in Platteville, WI Dick and his family flew in to welcome our newborn.

Dick and Helen Swain were made for each other.  Helen was the Hostess with the Mostest.  Many evenings we sat at the bar in their home discussing new teaching strategies for our students and planning our adventures.

We were on Pasadena Blvd. celebrating New Year’s Eve for the Rose Bowl. We knew Swains were in town, however we had not seen them.  All of a sudden Helen handed us a bottle of wine.  What a surprise!  But then again she was always to cheer others.

I often wonder if our lives would have been as rich, broad and happy if we had not had Dick and Helen as friends in our lives.

We thank God for them!

Our story about Dick has been written and hopefully we can find it elsewhere.

My sincere sympathy to Dicks Family.

Penny Kuehl 

I first met Dick in 1982 at the cabin on Wheeler lake. Some of my fondest memories were how he cared for our children. He always looked forward to us coming to Wisconsin. I also remember having Geoff and him spend the night at our house while pedaling around Lake Michigan. I also remember picking up rocks at the new airport runway, also a very fast boat. But over the last few years it was the pedaling that we did together. And then lastly were the happy hour discussions on his patio deck.

I met Dick Swain thru Vistoso Cyclist Bike Club. He was sharing his plan and passion for providing “just like new bikes” for children and youths who otherwise never have a chance to fulfill an American Childhood Tradition. He so moved me, that I wanted to be a part of that plan. I wanted to help Dick fulfill this wonderful plan. Dick worked tirelessly. Forming a Board. Seeking willing men and women to take on bike maintenance. Teaching bike building.  Establishing a pipeline for donated used bikes and then a pipeline for qualified recipients. Selling WFK to potential donors and keeping the promise of full disclosure. He did so much for the Tucson community and everyone else who had contact with Dick that he was awarded a Tucson award “ Ben’s Bell” presented to him for his “kindness” and selfless work for the sake of the children. I was and remain, proud to the known him and grateful to have called him my friend. I will miss your phone calls and your ideas and your passion for life and your big  and generous smile. 

It is always sad to say goodbye to old and close high school friends. Skow’s restaurant in the 50’s, college experiences, weddings, birth of children, pursuit of careers as we enjoyed home dinners, and of course Wheeler Lake (1966) when Dick’s home built horse pulled my 5 year old son, “water skiing”. Helen was a dear friend and sadly left us too soon but Dick kept up our friendship all these years later. I missed his phone call this Christmas. Dick surely had a full and satisfying life. As the old saying goes, “no grass grew under his feet!”

Dick, you will be missed.  You were a brother to Mom and thus like an uncle to me.  And your acceptance and love for Scott and my children was unconditional.  East Wheeler Lake Ln. will not be the same.  Geoff and Jennifer, I want you to know that I am holding you both in my heart.  Much love!

Rest in Peace - Visionary Leader with a heart of Gold.

In Memory of Dick Swain

In 2007 Dick Swain had an idea: collect, refurbish and donate used bicycles to put a smile on the face of kids who didn’t think they would ever get to experience the joy of riding their own bike. He recruited a few cycling friends to help and Wheels For Kids was born. From a modest beginning with a few kindred spirits it has grown to 35+ volunteers today and has donated over 4,600 bikes to kids, adults and families in greater Tucson. Work continues and each year about 400 bikes are collected, refurbished and delivered to those who could use a little help.

To build the organization and infrastructure that delivered those bikes and continues to do so, required visionary guidance, extraordinary leadership, and hands-on work in every aspect of the effort. Dick was that leader, resolutely determined to accomplish what he set out to do. There were many times when he relied on dogged persistence and during a few trying times showed unjustified optimism. It has been said: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way,” an apt description for Dick Swain. All Wheels For Kids’ work and countless hours were guided by Dick’s passion for helping others.

Dick often said that “everyone remembers their first bike.” It creates a lifetime memory for a child from a four year old who now can learn to ride on a shiny small bike; to ten year old who has the freedom to ride with friends, to a teenager who has transport to school, after school activities and, sometimes to work to help support the family. For refugees it changes lives – they can ride to work instead of walking or taking a bus which saves precious time and affords them more opportunities to get their life back on track. It is because of Dick’s vision and leadership that the world is a better place for many in Tucson.

Early morning on a day in January, 2023 Dick left this life. He was a man with a heart of gold who cared deeply about friends and family and Wheels For Kids. He served as an inspirational example of what it means to share blessings with those less fortunate. He was selfless with his time and talents. The world has lost an exceptional human being. We will honor his memory by carrying on with Wheels For Kids.

Thank you, Dick, for your vision, passion and contributions toward building this very special organization. Rest in peace.

Wheels For kids Board of Directors

Rick Haupt - John Johnston-Dave Pauley -Tom Terfehr