Steven Alan Swartz
1948-2019

NASBP was saddened to learn that NASBP activist Steve Alan Swartz, 71, of South Coast Surety Insurance Services, Inc. of San Clemente, CA passed away suddenly on May 8, while vacationing with his wife and son in Palm Springs.

Florence M. McClellan, Senior Vice President and Surety Unit Manager, Lockton Companies said: “Our dear friend and colleague, Steve Swartz, has passed away. It is a sad day indeed, but his memory will live on. Steve was a good friend and steward of our industry. When I joined the NASBP Commercial Surety Committee in 2009, Steve was one of the first to welcome me and help me get acquainted with the committee and its members. He had an innate ability to make everyone feel like they were included and heard. Steve had a fun and calming presence. He was very supportive and encouraging in our committee meetings and in our breakout sessions for NASBP. We will remember him always.”

The President of South Coast Surety, Kelly Specht, said Steve’s passing was a shock. “Steve was my boss, my mentor, and my Uncle. He’s been a guiding force in my life and career. I will forever miss his spirited debate on surety topics, wry sense of humor, and passion for life.” He had implemented a succession plan, because he planned to retire later this year, she added.

Steve was born and raised in Southern California and graduated from Carson High School. He played football for El Camino College and enlisted in the Air Force during Vietnam. Steve spent over 45 years in the financial/banking industry. After military service he entered banking, progressed to bank manager before entering the equipment lease/finance business. He began his own leasing firm in the mid-seventies. He entered the surety industry in the 1980’s and started South Coast Surety in 1995. Steve was a pioneer in creating a wide spectrum of surety programs specifically tailored towards small-to-medium sized contractors and was a national industry speaker.

In addition, Steve was a member of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. Recently, he had been serving as the Mayor of San Clemente, CA. He was elected to the City Council in 2016 and was appointed mayor in November of 2018.

“Steve leaves behind a wonderful legacy in San Clemente as a successful businessman, a loving family man, and longtime and faithful public servant,” said San Clemente Mayor Pro Tem Dan Bane in an article in the San Clemente Times.

Steve was a founding member of the San Clemente Coastal Advisory Committee; a member of the board of the Orange County Fire Authority; Chairman of the San Clemente Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission; a past President of the San Clemente Sunrise Rotary; Chief of his son Kyle’s Indian Guides Tribe; a past President of the Flora Vista HOA; and active in many other service organizations in the area.

Steve was dedicated to organizations that helped children. Having had polio as a child, he raised money for the Rotary’s Polio Plus Program. His other passion was raising funds for Autism in coordination with Autism Speaks. The San Clemente Sunrise Rotary is continuing to honor Steve with an online fundraiser for these causes at: https://fundly.com/honoring-steve-swartz.

Steve is survived by his wife of more than 32 years, Nicki, and their son, Kyle; his brother, Jeff Swartz (Lisa), and nephew, Jason; mother-in-law Patricia Witkowski; brothers-in-law Mark and Brian Witkowski (Lisa), and niece Lauren; sister-in-law Linda Specht, nephew Ryan, niece Kelly (PJ Eichten), grandnephew Avery and grandniece Indigo.

A celebration of Steve’s life held late May in San Clemente was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and coworkers as well as members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, who presented a folded American flag to his family.

The NASBP leadership and staff express our deepest condolences to Steve’s family and friends. Steve will be missed.

More information about Steve and the ceremony in his honor was published in these online sources listed here:
www.sanclementetimes.com/san-clemente-loses-generous-loyal-public-servant/
www.sanclementetimes.com/san-clemente-mayor-dies-wednesday-morning-vacation/
obits.ocregister.com/obituaries/orangecounty/obituary.aspx?n=steven-alan-swartz&pid=192897406