Richard A. Swirnow

Richard Alan Swirnow, of Baltimore, Maryland, passed away on the auspicious day of October 1st, 2025 the morning of Kol Nidre and just short of his 92nd birthday.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Rae Swirnow (nee Masry); loving children, Judith Swirnow Dack, David E. (Beth Schaeffer) Swirnow and Amy (Jeffrey) Schapiro; and beloved grandchildren, Rachel Dack (Jon) Davis and their children Ella Rae and Aiden, Jamie Dack (Connor DeSha) and their children August and Louise, (their father Leonard Dack), Michael Swirnow, Mollie Lowenstein (Michael) Crowther, Jennifer Swirnow, Maxx (Audry) Lowenstein and their child Brooks, Lindsay (Josh) Rubens and their children Sloane and Bari, Courtney (Jon) Sider and their children Stanley and Leni, and Evan (Jenna) Schapiro and their children Hayden and Graham. He was predeceased by his dear parents, Irving Swirnow and B. Roberta Levy and adored brother, Donald Swirnow.

Richard was a self made man, truly a creative visionary. All of his life, he was an industrious, intelligent hard working man. Even as a boy growing up in Brooklyn, NY, the owner of the corner drug store, recognized his industrious nature. Very quickly he was tapped to deliver the pharmacy orders around the neighborhood.

Later, when away at college he sold pots and pans door to door to supplement his full academic scholarship in the School of Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University. Somehow this transformed into his great success as a college kid selling residential real estate. He eloped with his Brooklyn sweetheart, Rae on New Year's Eve and brought her to Baltimore to live on campus together in student housing. He remained devoted to his beloved wife for over 72 years.

His penchant for making a living led him to manifest many great accomplishments. He developed several residential communities in Baltimore and Anne Arundel Counties along with other commercial real estate endeavors.

His greatest achievement was to envision a revitalized community built on the south side of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor with HarborView Towers, Pier Homes and the Marina & Yacht Club.

He loved his family and always made opportunities to spend time with his kids and grandchildren. Family cruises, summers at his beach home and traveling the globe gave him immense pleasure.

Richard was a deeply caring person, so much so that his key office staff were with him for over 50+ years right up to the end of his days. Linda Krannebitter, Vicki Borowiak and Lester Komaroff became such dear friends, much like family to Richard and Rae. The entire Swirnow family is enormously grateful for their loyalty and devotion.

Richard's generosity and philanthropic nature extended to many including Easter Seals, the Associated Jewish Charities and most of all, to the Johns Hopkins University and Hospital. Richard was a distinctive character and will be greatly missed by his many generations of family and his friends and colleagues!

Services are private. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, 3100 Wyman Park Drive 4th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21211 or Pearlstone, 5425 Mt. Gilead Road, Reisterstown, MD 21136. The family will be receiving guests on Friday, October 3rd from 4:00-6:00 at 100 Harborview Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21230, in the lobby lounge.