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Adam Harrison Swope, a tireless campaign activist and strategist in state, county, and local politics, died suddenly on Saturday afternoon in an automobile accident. He was 38 years old.

The beloved son of Robert Harrison Swope and Kathleen (Quartieri) Swope, he graduated in 1997 from Reading Senior High School, where he first showed a keen interest in politics. Adam participated in many activities in high school including the debate team, choral groups, school shows, and the marching band. Adam was proud to be a member of the 1997 state champion Reading High School Marching Band.

Adam graduated from West Chester University Honors Program in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. While attending West Chester, he held various offices in student government, as well as chairing the Young Democrats organization and serving as president of the Sigma Pi Fraternity. His senior year, he also received the West Chester University Outstanding Leader Award. As a political science major, he worked on numerous political campaigns in Chester County, first as a volunteer and then as a paid staffer with increasing responsibilities.

Most recently he was employed as an Administrative Analyst for Chester County as well as the Campaign Chair for Kathi Cozzone, Vice Chair of the Chester County Commissioners and candidate for PA Lieutenant Governor. He had also served in senior roles on Joe Hoeffel’s 2004 US Senate campaign and on both Dan Wofford’s 2002 and Lois Murphy’s 2006 campaigns for Congress in the 6th Congressional District.

Adam was Regional Field Director for the Obama for America Campaign during the April 2008 Pennsylvania Primary. Following the 2008 Presidential campaign, Adam was appointed statewide director of the Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans, where for seven years he led efforts to advocate for the rights of senior citizens and worked on both state and federal policy matters affecting seniors.

During this period, while working full-time, he also completed a Master of Public Administration at Villanova University, receiving his degree in 2016.

As evidenced in tributes on his Facebook page, Adam made a huge difference in the lives of so many. Relatives, friends, and colleagues describe him as a selfless, unpretentious leader and mentor, with infectious enthusiasm for Democratic ideals.

Adam was an eternal optimist who loved his parents, his Nana, cats, the Steelers, Game of Thrones, his fraternity, musicals, weird strategy games, Super Mario, Sunny in Philadelphia, the Daily Show and politics—not necessarily in that order.

One of Adam’s closest friends, Amy Yozviak, was a passenger in Adam’s vehicle when the accident occurred on Saturday. Fortunately, she survived.

Adam Swope is survived by his parents, Bob and Kathy (Quartieri) Swope, Nana, Mary Quartieri and step-grandfather, John Paris. He is also survived by uncles, Jim Quartieri (Janice), of Sacramento CA; Kerry Swope (Loraine), of Kokomo IN; Brian Swope, Collegeville PA, and Robert Kostival, Reading PA.
Also, Adam is survived by aunts, Anna Mersinger, Rose Milanek, Joanna Cirulli and Juree Accordino.
Adam has one first cousin, John Quartieri, Sausalito CA.

He was predeceased by grandmother Ethel M. Swope, and grandfathers, Robert D. Swope and James V. Quartieri. Also predeceased are aunt Elena Kostival, and uncles, Richard Mersinger, John Milanek, Richard Cirulli and Frank Accordino.

Memorial Services will be held at Reading Country Club, 5311 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading, PA 19606 on Saturday, November 18, 2017, at 3 p.m. A visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at Reading Country Club. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.

The family asks that donations in Adam’s memory may be made to the Adam H. Swope Scholarship Fund. Please make checks payable to Reading Senior High School and note in the memo line of the check: Adam H. Swope Scholarship Fund. MAIL checks to Reading Senior High School, Principal’s Office, 801 N. 13th Street, Reading, PA 19604, Attn: Corine McElroy.