Obituary of Werner Schenk

With heavy hearts, we announce that Werner passed away in his 92nd year on December 17, 2024. He was born April 7, 1932 to Alfred M and Rosa Schild Schenk. He was predeceased by the love of his life and wife of 54+ years, Janet, step-daughter, Melissa, sisters-in-law, Carmen Sokalski, Evelyn Godden, and nephew, Douglas. He is survived by his son, Kurt (Annette), step-son, Gerald (Flora) Eaton, grandsons, Kyle (Patricia), Kiefer, Santiago, granddaughter, Reyna, great-grandson, Leonhardt Schenk, sister, Rita (Richard) Morse, nephew, David (Sally), several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Born and raised in Lubeck, Germany, he survived the Holocaust (42 of our family did not survive). He became a US citizen as quickly as he could when he and his parents moved to America. He was proud of his service with the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles, an actual rocket scientist (he was on Edward Teller’s team and helped launch the first Atlas rocket), and was a Professor at The Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester for 30 years. He donated his blood regularly to the American Red Cross until he no longer could. He selflessly volunteered and gave talks on his experiences during the Holocaust at GEVA and local schools after his retirement. His life story is a Hollywood movie script.

But above all, he was a dedicated husband, father/step-father, grandparent, and great-grandparent. His brand of sarcastic, low key humor was reminiscent of Bob Newhart. You will truly be missed Dad/Papa. The world has lost a very special person.

His wish was to have no public visitation and will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery in Penfield at a private ceremony. If you would like to honor Werner, please consider donating to the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester’s Center for Holocaust Awareness and Information (CHAI). https://www.jewishrochester.org/center-for-holocaust-awareness-and-information-chai