Here is some of what I have been up to.
 
 
 

The 1960's

• U.S. Navy: 
• Corry Field, Pensacola, Fla.
• VA-22, NAS Lemoore, USS Midway, Pineapple Cruise, Hawaii
• VA-113 Detachment Q, NAS Lemoore, USS Bennington, WESTPAC / Vietnam, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Philippines,
• VSF-1, NAS Alameda, USS Shangri-La, MED Cruise, France, Italy, Sicily, Spain, Greece, Turkey and Malta.
• Chabot College, Hayward, California: A.A. Psychology, Philosophy and Humanities.

• Sonoma State University: B.A. Psychology, B.A. India Studies, one year Post Graduate study Psychology.
• One Semester Field Experience in Maharashtra, India: Eastern Philosophy, Meditation, 
• Instructor, De Anza College (Cupertino, Ca): Taught Introduction to Parapsychology
• Instructor, Ohlone College (Fremont, Ca): Taught Psychology of Human Relations
• Research in Parapsychology: Appeared in "The Secret Life of Plants" (the Book and the Movie)

• Founder, Caltrans Tenants Organization. 
• Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee to Alameda County Board of Supervisors. 
• Human, Civil and Housing Rights Advocate. 
• Alameda County, Castro Valley General Plan Revision Committee. 
• Southern Alameda County Community Housing Resource Board (CHURB). 
• Member, Citizens for Castro Valley. 
• Political Activist 
• Meditation Councilor and Instructor. 

• Instructor, Castro Valley Adult School: Meditation for Stress Management
• Human Rights Work: with East Indian/Sikh Community
• Labor Rights Work
• Board of Directors (Retired 2015): Urban Village Farmers Market Association

• Constituent Liaison and Community Organizer (Retired 2015): Office of Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley
• Board of Directors/Past President (Retired): Spectrum Community Services
• Alameda County Democratic Party Central Committee, Retired Alternate Member (2014)
• Web Master, Castro Valley Democratic Club
• Honored for Volunteer Work by City of Hayward, California
• Medical Cannabis and Hemp Advocate, See Allen's Story - Cancer and Medical Cannabis (Marijuana)

Bob served as President of Spectrum, and retired from the Board in 2014. Spectrum provides nutritious Meals on Wheels for Dublin, Livermore and Pleasanton and Senior dining sites in Oakland, San Leandro, Castro Valley, Hayward, and Union City. 

Spectrum conducts Senior Fall Risk programs, the Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program and Payment Assistance for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). 

Bob served in the United States Navy and was a Constituent Liaison and Community Organizer for Supervisor Nate Miley, retiring this year after 14 years with the County. Bob is enjoying retirement with his wife, Donna, at their home in Castro Valley.

By Robert Souza
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
October 15, 2008

Castro Valley man-about-town Bob Swanson will be honored for his volunteer efforts by the City of Hayward next week.

"I'm currently the vice president for Spectrum and have volunteered here for the past eight years," Swanson said Thursday at the Spectrum offices in Hayward. "And, well, what I do for Spectrum is kind of hard to define, because I do a little bit of everything."

Hayward Mayor Mike Sweeney, who is also CEO of the private, nonprofit Spectrum Community Services, said. Swanson "provides leadership and a wealth of experience with just about any issue we need help with. He always looks for ways to help out with issues in the community, whether it's for our clients or funding."

Founded in 1971, Spectrum has provided meals, fall-prevention and self-sufficiency courses to seniors in addition to computer literacy classes and assistance for PG&E bills to those eligible from their modest Grove Way offices. "I've always been interested in senior issues, and the former CEO wanted me involved on the board, so I decided to come help out," said Swanson, who also an aide to Supervisor Nate Miley.

Spectrum served 110,000 nourishing meals to seniors last year, and-with Swanson's help-is hoping to move its entire facility to another parcel of Cal-Trans owned land adjacent to its current location.

"I used to be a baby boomer and now I'm a senior boomer," Swanson said with his trademark raspy laugh. "It's really quite an honor to have been nominated and recognized. I just do what I think is right and that's just how I've always done things."

The City of Hayward will hold its 31st annual recognition and awards dinner to honor Swanson and 31 other outstanding volunteers on Thursday, Oct. 23, at Centennial Hall in Hayward.

For more information, call 272-6692.

City of Hayward Volunteer & Awards Dinner October 23, 2008 Photos

Bob's YouTube Channel