Merle Swansen received his schooling at Riverside School and high school at Klamath Falls, he graduated from Pasadena Junior College, California; Occidental College, Los Angeles; and the University of Southern California, receiving his A.B. degree in 1931 and M.D. degree in 1935. As a child he was enegetic and ambitious, acting as a messenger boy for the Western Union and as cashier for his father's barber shop when only ten. Distinctly a friend of the younger generation, Mr. Swansen received the first Eagle Scout badge in Klamath County in 1926 and has been engaged in Scout work since 1918, being a Scout leader for eight years. Upon completing his preliminatry training in college he served one year internship at the Los Angeles County Hospital in 1935. In Klamath Falls he began his medical practice as an assistant to Dr. George Merryman, until 1939 when he opened his own Cardiology practice in the Medical-Dental Building with splendid success.
On October 10, 1935 in Klamath Falls Dr. Swasen was wedded to Mildred Rowe, of Visalia, California.
Three children have blessed the union of Dr. and Mrs. Swansen, namely Beverly Verne, 1938-1975, and James Edward, 3rd, 1939-1988 in Klamath Falls, and Patricia Jean Swansen (living).
He served in the US Army Air Corps (US Air Force) during WW II. Dr. Swansen is prominent in the Klamath Lodge No. 1247, B.P. Order of Elks, the American Medical Association; Klamath County Medical Association; Phi Beta Pi; and Kappa Zeta, a national pre-medical fraternity. He began his profession career well equpped by thorough preliminary training and adds to his scientific knowledge a ready sympathy and a keen intuition, insuring his success in the medical field. He is a leader in the younger men's organizations of the city his genial manner wins him hosts of friends.
-from History of Klamath county