Remembering Bob Sullivan, a life well lived

In 1996, Bob Sullivan sold us the building where our offices still stand today. There was no drawn-out negotiation — just a handshake.

My dad recalls sitting in Bob’s hotel restaurant with him and my grandpa (Walt Sr.) when Bob said, “Real estate has to be in writing.” So they grabbed a napkin and wrote up the deal right there at the table. A handshake… and a napkin contract.

Bob was one my dad's biggest mentors. He was a heck of a hard worker, early mornings, late nights, big dreams. He said it how it was. You never had to guess what he was thinking. He showed my dad that hard work is never beneath anyone, that trust matters, and that business can be personal in the very best way.

I have my own memories, too, singing karaoke at his hotel in high school and listening to his old time stories. Last summer felt full circle when our band played the Bob Sullivan concert at Sullivan Field and we learned his jingle:

“S-U-Double L I-V-A-N… spells Sullivan!”

We are grateful for his trust in us to carry this building forward, for his leadership on the WestSide, and for the role he played in our Swift story.

On behalf of all of us at Swift Printing, rest well, Mr. Sullivan