Frank van Swol

On February 27, 2025, our beloved Frank van Swol, 70, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family.

Frank was born on May 11, 1954, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He was a curious child and developed a love for learning and science from a young age.

Frank graduated from the University of Amsterdam where he obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees in physical chemistry. He was awarded a Ramsay Fellow Scholarship to work at Oxford University, following which, he completed his PhD in physical chemistry at the University of Amsterdam. During his time at Oxford, he thoroughly enjoyed working with other scholars and academic scientists, who continued to inspire him throughout his career.

After completing his PhD, Frank was offered an opportunity to be a visiting assistant professor at Cornell University in upstate New York. Frank and Bertha eloped prior to embarking on a new journey in the United States together.

Following his time at Cornell, Frank continued his teaching and research career at the University of Illinois in Champaign Urbana. He then went on to work at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico from which he retired in 2015 after 21 years of service. He was also part of the Petsev Research Group at the University of New Mexico (UNM). Frank was an avid collaborator in his field, with a particular interest in statistical mechanics, material science, and physical chemistry of surfaces. Frank served as a mentor and advised multiple future PhD students.

In retirement, Frank continued working through his consulting business, Albuquerque Analytica, and continued teaching and conducting research on a part-time basis at UNM. Throughout his career, Frank's work was recognized through more than a hundred publications and thousands of citations. Additionally, he co-authored a scientific textbook on molecular theory of electric double layers. Frank was the recipient of many prestigious awards, including the R&D 100 award in 2009.

Frank had a zest for life and was a joy to be around with his contagious sense of humor. He loved drinking coffee with apple pie, watching soccer, and staying up to date with politics and current events. Frank's biggest love was for his four daughters; he thrived as a girl dad. A strong advocate of women's rights, he naturally fell into this role and ingrained in all his daughters, nieces and granddaughters that "girls' rule". He was fiercely protective but equally nurturing and supportive of his daughters as they embarked on their life journeys. As they grew into adulthood, he loved to catch up with them over beer or a coffee. In 2016, Frank became an Opa and embraced his grandchildren with the same love that he had for his daughters.

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 39-years, Bertha de Vries; daughters, Suzia Darby (Jason, Jetson and Remi Darby), Oona van Swol (Matt, Quinn and Mila Mazzei), Sanne van Swol (Brandon, Kai, Reef and Aya Ferguson), Taska van Swol (Kirk Spaulding); his sister, Yvonne Romeijn; twin brother, Rob van Swol; his nieces, Wobke and Like Romeijn; and his best friend, Bart Spitz (Sasja Schilp). He was preceded in death by his parents, Bart and Gerda van Swol.

Frank will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and community.

A memorial service will be held on March 15, 2025, from 9:30 to 12:30 PM at Vista Grande Community Center (15 La Madera Road, Sandia Park, New Mexico 87047). Refreshments to follow.

Frank's family would like to thank his Presbyterian Hospice Team, especially his nurse Andrea, who was instrumental in caring for and honoring Frank.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to End of Life Options New Mexico (https://endoflifeoptionsnm.org/) or the UNM Center for Reproductive Health. Donations to the UNM Center for Reproductive health can be made via the UNM Fund, using the link below and entering code 203340 to support the center for reproductive health directly. https://www.unmfund.org/s/1959/lg22/form.aspx?sid=1959&gid=2&pgid=478&cid=1147&dids=3962&bledit=1