Dan Ray Schenk, 72

MACS, U.S. Navy - Retired

July 4, 1940 - Nov. 13, 2012

Dan Ray Schenk, 72, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Nov. 13, 2012, at the Spokane Hospice House. He was born on July 4, 1940, in St. Louis, Mo., to Raymond and Helen Schenk.

Dan enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1958 serving six years before entering into the Navy Reserves later in 1984 where he served an additional 17 years. He retired from the U.S. Navy Reserves as Senior Chief Petty Officer in 2001. Dan also worked for Hewlett-Packard, retiring after 37 years. He worked for Washington State Corrections at the Airway Heights Prison, retiring after seven years. Following his retirement, Dan worked as a part-time Transport Deputy for the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout his careers, Dan worked as a reserve officer for various agencies including: San Jose Police Department and Mounted Unit, Post Falls Police Department and Spokane Police Department.

Everyone who knew Dan simply adored him. He filled our hearts and our home with love and laughter. He’ll always be remembered for his generous nature and positive attitude. Even after he found out he had pancreatic cancer, he told us that he had lived a full life and had accomplished so much — he had no regrets.

Dan is survived by: his loving wife, Susan (Soinski) Schenk of Spokane; mother Helen of Jonesboro, Ark.; twin brother Jan Schenk of Lebanon, Mo.; sons, Dan Jr. of Sacramento, Calif., Scott of Spokane and Brendan Schenk of Coeur d’Alene; daughter Kim Edmondson of Hayden; two grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. He was very proud of his family as we all were of him.

A memorial celebrating Dan’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at the Valley Church of Christ, 17221 E. Broadway, Spokane Valley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Dan’s name to Spokane Hospice.