Gaylord Swim (1948-2005) was a longtime Associate of The Philanthropy Roundtable and a donor active in many fields. His work was recalled at his funeral by his son Stanford Swim, from whose remarks the following is excerpted.
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Dad’s work in community service and public policy was driven more by a desire to enable and ennoble people than it was to “fix” government. Just as the Founders did, he considered civil government a reflection of human nature. He felt that if we as individuals shouldered our stewardships for family, work, and community, there would be less need for the coercion of civil government. To accomplish that end, he emphasized teaching everyone over lobbying a few. That is why he was so interested in education, and that is why he would be so honored by the sight and sound of the children from the American Heritage School behind me.
I never knew him to advocate something because of raw self-interest. He would only lend his name and effort to something he genuinely believed was right and just for everyone. . .. In all of his public service, he believed that the Lord expected him to exemplify Christian civility and integrity—and he did.
