SAN FRANCISCO / Sept. 25, 1997 / Mr. Richard Lewis Swig passed away early this morning at California Pacific Medical Center after a courageous battle against heart disease, at the age of 72.

He was born in Boston, son of the late Mae and Benjamin Swig. In 1944, his father, Benjamin Swig, purchased the St. Francis Hotel and within two years, relocated his entire family from Boston to San Francisco. During this period, Benjamin Swig also purchased San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel, which since has become the flagship for the Fairmont Hotels and to which Richard Swig devoted 50 years.

After completing his tour of duty in the U.S. Navy, Richard Swig embarked upon a career in his family-owned Fairmont Hotel. For over half a century, Swig championed grand hospitality. His legacy as a hotelier and to the Fairmont, a company he dearly loved, is inestimable. His management style was inspired not only by great care and attention to hotel guests but also the extraordinary recognition of his hotel staff. In the days of independently owned luxury hotels, Swig set standards for all. His vision, passion and commitment will impact far into the future. As chairman of the Fairmont Hotel Management Company, he spearheaded the expansion of the Fairmont Hotels now serving seven major American cities.

A philanthropist, serving on numerous boards encompassing all religious, political and cultural arenas, his generosity will be remembered by many who knew his philosophy to ease the human condition.

Beloved husband for 47 years of Roselyne Swig; loving father of Rick Swig, Susan (and Richard) Watkins, Marjorie Swig and Carol (and George) Sedlack; "Poppy" to 12 adoring grandchildren, Benjamin and Adam Swig; Harrison, Nina and Nicholas Watkins; Emily, Abigail and Madeline Ehrlich; and Casey, Lindsey, Georgia and Mason Sedlack. Dear brother of the late Melvin Swig and Dorothy Betty Dinner; brother-in-law of Richard (and Joan) Dinner; Tobey (and Allen) Moss and Miriam Handel. Loving nephew of Miriam Shotz and Lura Swig; dear uncle, cousin and friend to many.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28 at Temple Emanu-el at Lake Street and Arguello, San Francisco, under the direction of Sinai Memorial Chapel. Contributions to The Coast Guard Foundation, Stonington, Conn.; Hospitality Management Program, McLaren School of Business, University of San Francisco; American Society for Technion, San Francisco; The Peddie School, Hightstown, N.J.; Jewish Museum San Francisco; Institute for Health and Healing c/o California Pacific Medical Center, or the charity of your choice.

CONTACT: Shirley Kantoff, 415/291-1140