Norman, Oklahoma - David Swank, longtime law professor and former Dean of the University of Oklahoma Law School, died peacefully at his farm south of Stillwater on Sunday, surrounded by family. David is survived by his wife of 72 years, Ann, his son, David Swank, II (wife, Kris, and children, Katie and David Swank, III), and daughter, Ami Swank.

The youngest child of Arthur (A.R.) Swank and Margaret (Chilton) Swank, David was preceded in death by his siblings, Robert (A.R., Jr.) Swank, Chilton Swank, Olive Swank, Margaret J. Swank and Mary Ann Kobos.

Known as both an academic and an outdoorsman, David was as comfortable in a ratty pair of jeans as in his professional attire, and could often be found hunting, fishing, working cattle, planting trees, and clearing cedars with tireless exuberance and energy.

He was known for his integrity and honesty — he was an old-school man of honor — who could be counted on to do the right thing, regardless of personal cost. And his devotion to family was paramount. Whenever anyone needed help, David was there to roll up his sleeves and get to work.

David's courtship of Ann began when they were both 16 and they dated throughout the rest of high school and college, even serving together on Oklahoma A&M's Riflery team.

David graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Oklahoma A&M in 1953 with a degree in Political Science and was named the nation's outstanding ROTC graduate that year. David and Ann were married on June 12, 1953, just a few short weeks before he was called up to active duty as a Ranger and Lieutenant in the US Army's 101st Airborne Division.

After three years of active service, he enrolled in the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Upon completing law school in 1959, David and Ann moved back to Stillwater where he joined his father and older brothers in practice at the law firm of Swank & Swank. He continued to serve as a Major in the US Army Reserves Special Forces (Green Beret) for the next 10 years.

In 1962, he was elected to serve as the Payne County District Attorney but soon accepted an offer to teach law at OU. In August, 1963, David began a remarkable 55-year career as a law professor, which included over 7 years as Dean of the Law School.

Throughout his years as a law professor, David was a favorite of students, often engaging in lighthearted banter as part of his "Socratic Method" of teaching. He loved teaching and sincerely cared for his students. Besides his career as a professor, he worked tirelessly in many extracurricular pursuits. He served for nearly 20 years as OU's faculty representative to the old Big 8 Conference and to the NCAA. He later served 7 years as Vice-President of the NCAA and 9 years on its Committee on Infractions (acting as chair for his final 7 years). He co-authored "Criminal Justice for the U.S. Postal Inspector" with longtime colleague Robert (R.E.L.) Richardson, served as faculty advisor to OU Law students in many successful regional and national moot court competitions, and founded the Cleveland County Legal Aid Office, serving as its director for 4 years. David was the principal author of Oklahoma's Civil Discovery Code and he served as the Dean of the law school from 1986 to 1993.

In a hiatus from his work as OU's Law Dean, David served as OU's interim President during the tumultuous years of 1988 and 1989, when both Barry Switzer and Anita Hill brought national attention to the Norman campus. Once again, his actions during that time reflected his deep principles of integrity and honor, regardless of personal political cost.

David did not fully retire until after the 2017-18 academic year and even after that, he continued to busy himself by serving on various committees devoted to the law and higher education.

In his later years, David proved to be irrepressible, often performing strenuous farm chores in 100-degree weather up to the age of 92. In 2020, with help from their daughter, Ami, David and Ann retired to their family farm, returning full circle back to Stillwater where it all began.

The family plans a simple graveside service at 3 pm Tuesday, June 24th at Sunset Gardens, 6500 S. Perkins Road, Stillwater (Hwy 177 just north of Highway 33), Rev. Will Harper officiating. Funeral-goers are encouraged to wear causal clothing need not wear formal or semi-formal attire. Other details can be found through Strode Funeral Home at https://www.strodefh.com

The family asks for donations to Redeemed Global Ministries, P.O. Box 1214, Stillwater, OK 74076 and/or Victory Life Church, 723 Eastgate St., Stillwater, OK 74074, in honor of David Swank.