September 30, 2020

Local architect Peter Swindley has died

Swindley

Bellevue architect Peter Downing Swindley died on Sept. 13. He was 79.

After a year of coping valiantly with the effects of surgery and treatments for a salivary gland tumor, it was heart failure that ultimately ended his life, his family said.

His firm, Peter D. Swindley Architects and Interiors, Inc., was launched in 1976, and continues today.

Dan Keating with the firm said Swindley loved being an architect. “He loved every aspect of it: the challenge to understand the essence of each project, to work within a budget and the idiosyncrasies of a site or house, and most of all, he loved people-getting to know them, collaborating with them, cajoling them, setting his mind and talents to create beautiful homes where they might live, love and thrive,” Keating said in a letter to friends, colleagues and clients.

Although Swindley had been slowed by the cancer and radiation treatment last year, he wanted to keep working, Keating said. “He often reflected how he didn't want to retire as, besides having no affinity for golf or interest in gardening, there was work to be done and architectural dreams to be realized,” Keating said. “In fact, Pete worked a full day last Thursday before suffering a heart attack later that evening.”

Keating said that “over many years Peter worked hard to imbue in us all the skills to do this work we love.” He said the firm will continue to provide “the very best architectural service people have come to expect from us.”

Peter Swindley was born in New York City in January 1941. He settled with his parents, Annie Jane Downing and Rollo Leslie Bloomfield (Mike) Swindley, both originally from New Zealand, in South Bellevue on their Holly Farm in 1949.

He graduated with the Bellevue High School class of 1959. He then moved on to the University of Washington for five years of architecture school, graduating in 1964. After college he was commissioned as a Naval ensign, Civil Engineer Corps and served in the Vietnam War.

His family said he was loyal and fun loving. He cherished memories of growing up in Bellevue, sharing a laugh, and the delight of adventure. Whatever the social occasion and where there was live music, he owned the dance floor.

He also loved sailing, as well as rooting for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, good movies, a bottomless bucket of popcorn, a cup of coffee with friends, walks through Madison Park, finding a great place to enjoy a meal, all things holly, raisin pie and kicking back with his wife, a cold beer and a bowl of chips after a good day's work.

His survivors include his wife of 50 years, Mary Jane Cummins; his daughter Meegan (Pat) Foster of Kirkland and son Cuyler (Aly) Swindley of Hailey, Idaho; grandchildren Graham, Gillian, Chase, Bo and Chad Foster and Satchel and Keaton Swindley; and his sister Vivian Claire (Carrington) Herbert of Williamsburg, Virginia.

A private family service was held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

The family asks that you consider making a contribution in Peter Swindley's name to Bellevue LifeSpring.