January 4, 2018
It is with great sadness that we share the loss of our visionary co-founder and friend Philip V. Swan, who passed away peacefully on December 7, 2017 in Pasadena. We honor him for his impact on the investment counsel profession over his career of more than forty years in the industry. We are grateful for his leadership in launching his own advisory firm in 1984, which merged with Clifford Associates in 2007 to become Clifford Swan Investment Counselors. The two companies joined together based upon a shared heritage and common values of independent advice, rigorous investment research, and commitment to clients.
Born in Pasadena on March 25, 1929, Phil grew up in San Marino. He was a graduate of Pomona College and Stanford University School of Business. After 54 years in South Pasadena, Phil most recently resided in Pasadena.
Phil began his career in the investment management industry in 1955 as a securities analyst with Clifford Associates. For 23 years, he was associated with the national firm, Lionel D. Edie & Co., where he managed Southern California operations and served as an officer and director of the company. Throughout his career, Phil was passionately dedicated to providing exceptional investment counsel to individuals, families, and charitable entities.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Phil was very involved in the community. He dedicated his time and leadership to the South Pasadena Community Redevelopment Association, The Oneonta Club Scholarship Committee, Oneonta Congregational Church, Los Angeles Rotary, The Economic Roundtable, The Huntington Library Board of Overseers, The Braille Institute and Forest Lawn Boards of Directors, and Scripps College, where he served on the Board of Trustees.
Phil had a great enthusiasm for life and had many hobbies and passions. These included a particular interest in history and his collection of autographed pictures of U.S. political and business leaders. He was also well-known as a dedicated baseball and USC football fan. Phil will be remembered for his strong work ethic, boundless energy, dedication to family, generosity, sense of humor, and as a dispenser of advice and wisdom. To all of us at Clifford Swan, Phil personified the Clifford Swan mission to instill Wisdom for Generations.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, December 19th at San Marino Community Church, followed by a reception at the Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena.
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