Newport Beach Library Trustee Sword Dies at 68
Charles H. Sword, a major force behind the push for the city’s new central library under construction, died at his home Saturday of lung cancer. He was 68.
Sword, an engineer and longtime Newport Beach Library trustee, was instrumental in designing the new library that, when completed, will have its quiet reading room named after him.
Born in Whittier, he served in the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II and received a master’s degree from Stanford University. He worked at Rockwell International, Ford Aeronutronic and California Computer Products Inc. before retiring in 1985.
From 1969 to 1973 and again from 1988 until he died, Sword served as a library trustee.
“We have lost a dedicated community leader and strong public library advocate,” said city librarian LaDonna Kienitz.
A memorial service is scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday in St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, where Sword was a founding member.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lois Sword, 67; sons Charles Sword, 34, of Fullerton and David Sword, 33, of Milford, Conn.; a daughter, Helen Sword, 31, of Bloomington, Ind.; grandchildren Claire Allegra and Ian Charles; a sister, Barbara Barnes, 64, of Fallbrook; and a brother, James Sword, 55, of San Francisco.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation to help buy furniture for the Charles H. Sword Quiet Reading Room.
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