One of our local volunteers died last weekend while canvassing for Obama

October 24, 2008


Obama sends condolences for Sparks campaign worker

The widow of a Sparks man who died while campaigning door-to-door for Barack Obama last weekend received a personal phone call from the Democratic presidential nominee expressing his condolences.

Edmond Dewey Swensen, known as Dewey, was campaigning in Sparks on Oct. 18 when he suffered a massive heart attack and died, his wife Susan Swensen said Friday.

In addition to speaking to Obama, Susan Swensen said she also received flowers from him and has VIP seats for his campaign appearance in Reno today.
She said her husband, 64, had been campaigning for Obama for just four days but that it had changed him.

“It was like he had a complete purpose,” she said.
When Obama called her on Monday, Susan Swensen said she didn’t answer the phone because she didn’t recognize the number, but called back and spoke to Obama directly.

He’d also left a message on her voicemail to offer his condolences and express his gratitude for Dewey Swensen’s campaign efforts.

“I’m so sorry for your loss and so grateful to you and Dewey for volunteering for the campaign,” Obama said in the message. “Obviously it’s a heartbreaking situation, but I just wanted to you to know I was thinking about you and praying for you and I hope all the great memories that I’m sure you must have tide you through these difficult times.”
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