Bob was born July 19, 1953 at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, the oldest of seven children born to Robert Allan and Evelyn (Hutchinson) Swisshelm. The family moved to Ohio, and he attended Greenhills Junior and High Schools where he participated in the Science Club and graduated in 1971. He also graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1976.
From April 1975 to 1979, Bob worked in the security department at Sears Roebuck. During May 1979, he began simultaneously working in security at St. Elizabeth Hospital.
Bob joined the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department on October 25, 1979 as a Patrolman. He was promoted to Corporal on May 28, 1987 in the Patrol Division. Seven months later, on December 10, 1987, he was reassigned as a Patrol Officer 2 (Corporal) in the Criminal Investigation Division. He developed into an undercover detective, and, on September 1, 1993, he was reassigned to the Organized Crime Section/Regional Enforcement of Narcotics Unit. Throughout his career, his performance evaluations speak of his drive, production, and as a team player. Due to multiple auto accidents, each of which injured and reinjured his lumbar spine, he took a disability retirement effective March 1, 1998, with almost twenty years of service to the tristate and an incredible number of letters of appreciation and/or commendation.
He was also a member of the Western Hills-Cheviot Masonic Lodge 140.
Detective Swisshelm died on June 26, 2023 at the age of 69.
He was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Evelyn Swisshelm and stepmother, Marge Swisshelm. He is survived by his wife of almost 44 years, Diana Faith (Day) Swisshelm; children Sara Elizabeth Swisshelm, Kathryn Alexis Swisshelm, and Emily Ann Swisshelm; sons-in-law, Danny and Jason; siblings, Richard, Earl, David, Steve, Becky and Nancy; and siblings in law, Debbie, Dave, Julie, John, Dawnalyn, Mike, Jennifer, Betsy, and Terry.
Visitation will be held 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on July 8, 2023 at the Groesbeck United Methodist Church. The funeral service will be held at 10:45 a.m.
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