( CNN ) -- At 42 , Richard Swanson was without work , without kids at home , without a mortgage , but with a lot of time to ponder what matters . `` It gives you time to think of what you want out of life , '' he said in a YouTube video . One thing he wanted , he said , was to watch soccer 's World Cup , scheduled for summer 2014 in Brazil . `` I should just walk to the World Cup . ... Just take off out the door and start hoofing it and head south , '' he said in the video . And then , `` Since I 'm going to the World Cup , I should honor it by dribbling a soccer ball . '' That would be more than 6,700 miles of dribbling , from his home in Seattle to Sao Paulo , Brazil . He 'd dribble a special , durable soccer ball , designed to give kids in poor countries something that they could play with for a long time , something that would n't break on rocky playgrounds or fields with sharp , thorny brush . People following his journey could donate to promote the program , One World Futbol Project said . He started May 1 . His journey ended suddenly Tuesday when a pickup truck struck and killed him on U.S. 101 in Lincoln City , Oregon , about 250 miles south of Seattle . His death was announced on a Facebook page , Breakaway Brazil , he set up to document his trek . `` It is with a heavy heart to notify you that Richard Swanson passed on this morning . His team , family , friends , and loved ones will miss him and love him dearly . You made it to Brazil in our hearts , Richard . Team Richard , '' the post said . Supporters want the ball Swanson was dribbling to be in Brazil . Police said it was recovered from the accident scene . `` Someone should see to it that his ball makes it to the World Cup , '' Megan Cruz wrote on the page for Breakaway Brazil . `` Maybe the first 'play ' could be done with his ball , then returned to the family . '' `` First kick at 2014 WC should be with his blue ball , '' Peda Knezevic wrote under Swanson 's YouTube video . One World Futbol Project noted Swanson 's death in a tweet and on its website . `` We are extremely saddened to hear the news about Richard . He was a very inspiring man , our thoughts are with his family , '' it said via Twitter . Police are investigating the accident , and the driver of the pickup that hit Swanson was cooperating , according to reports from CNN affiliates KPTV-TV and KATU-TV in Oregon . The Breakaway Brazil Facebook and the YouTube pages were filled Wednesday with tributes to Swanson from soccer fans around the world . `` Please know his death was not in vain , his story reached all corners of the world , '' wrote Rena Gerlach from Portland , Oregon . `` Your name will never be forgotten by my dear Brazil , '' wrote Vanessa GonÃ§alves . There were postings in German and Portuguese . And posts from Japan and Canada . And one was from Swanson 's oldest son , Devin . `` You are an inspiration to all to continue doing what you love ! One day ... I will continue your journey in your name ! ''
Richard Swanson wanted to fulfill his dream of heading to the World Cup . Swanson would dribble soccer ball to Brazil to raise money for charity . Supporters ask his ball be used to open World Cup in 2014 .