George Swiderski

George Swiderski came to the United States as a young man in order to experience freedom after growing up in Poland under communist rule. He learned to hunt as a young boy in Poland, and in the U.S. he was a life-long hunter and owner of Old World Taxidermy, one of the country’s pre-eminent taxidermy studios. George was a member of Safari Club International for decades, including all the years that he exhibited at the national Convention. He hunted across the world, he supported all of the local SCI chapters, and he was the first Lifetime Member of the Illinois & Chicago Chapter.

George served many terms on the Board of Directors of the chapter, including several terms as President and Vice-President. He was very effective at recruiting new members, and he was a stabilizing influence to help guide the Chapter through many transitional times. For many, many years he and his wife, Slawa, supported the chapter with valuable donations of unique artwork and one-of-a-kind artifacts that they collected through their travels. And every year their home and park-like grounds welcomed all members of our chapter for the annual Member Appreciation Picnic.

George was an accomplished hunter, taxidermist, artist and photographer, and he made his mark on the publishing world with his sweeping historical memoir, “The Forester’s Son.” But most of all, George was a great friend to so very many of us as he shared his passion for hunting, art and freedom.