Dr. Peter Swann, Ph.D
April 26, 2024 - July 14, 2013
Peter Roland Swann Ph.D, internationally recognized scientist and inventor. Born in Somerset, England February 4, 1935, died July 14, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Swann earned a Ph.D in Metallurgy and Materials Science at the University of Cambridge, UK in 1960, and was the Senior Scientist at US Steel Corporation from 1960-1966. He served as the CEGB, Professor of Materials Science at the University of London, from 1966-1978, and was one of the principal founders and President of Gatan, Inc., the first company in the world to design and manufacture accessories for electron microscopes, from 1978-1992. Dr. Swann held dozens of patents for his inventions.
Dr. Swann received considerable recognition for his work in the field of electron microscopy. Notable among his nine awards were the 1975 Beilby Gold Medal and Prize of the Royal Chemical Society and Institute of Metals and the 1997 Distinguished Scientist Award from the Microscopy Society of America.
Dr. Swann was a Member of the Joint British Committee for Electron Microscopy and a Member of the Council of the Royal Microscopial Society. For eight years, he served on the Editorial Advisory Boards of Microscopy publications, including the Philosophical Magazine’s Communication on Physics. Dr. Swann had more than 53 publications and 25 technical notes in the fields of Metallurgy, Materials Science and electron microscopy.
In 1992 he relocated to Jumby Bay, in the West Indies, where he served as Chairman of the Jumby Bay Club. His considerable scientific expertise was applied in the design, building and operation of Jumby Bay’s infrastructure. He also served as Chairman of the Board for Antigua’s Island Academy. In 1993, on his wedding anniversary, he had the distinct pleasure of conducting the California Symphony in a special performance.
Peter was the beloved husband of Patricia Lee Swann, loving father to Lars, Nils and Karin. He was the dear brother to George Rex Swann and uncle to Paul, Phillip and Wendy. Peter was the kind stepfather to Cynthia, Lynn, Elizabeth and Thomas, and wonderful Pop Pop to twelve grandchildren.
Friends will be received at Devlin Funeral Home of Cranberry 2678 Rochester Rd. Cranberry Twp., on Friday, July 19th, 10AM-12Noon. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Swann’s name will be kindly accepted by The Island Academy, PO Box W-1884, Oliver’s Estate, Saint John’s Antigua, West Indies.
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Pat and all of Peter’s family.
My deepest condolences on the loss of an outstanding man who left a mark on so many of us. I have many happy memories of working and associating with him over much of our lives.
We will all miss him profoundly.
Bob Fisher
You toiled much
May you rest in Peace
Britta and Cambridge
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Peter will be greatly missed. Love to you all.