Karl Schwenk
Age - 84
November 27, 2023
Karl "Doc" Schwenk, age 84, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2023. He was born in Wandorf, Hungary on April 21, 1939. At the age of twelve and speaking only German, Karl immigrated with his mother to the United States in 1951. He quickly adapted, playing both basketball and football at Ellwood City High School and graduated in 1958 as the President of his senior class. He continued his education first at Geneva College and then at Ball State University where he earned a Master's and PhD in Molecular Biology. Karl loved the sciences (could repeat Avogadro's number in his sleep) and was deeply committed to sharing his knowledge with others. He began a decades long career of teaching in 1973 at Walsh College in Canton, Ohio. There he oversaw the Nursing Program, ran the Anatomy & Physiology Labs, and ultimately served as Chair of the Department of Sciences. One of his most rewarding accomplishments while at Walsh was assisting his students in the reconstruction of "Bondo Betty". Karl was an instrumental member of the Mastodon Restoration Committee and Betty the Mastodon is now proudly displayed at Discovery World in the McKinley Presidential Library and Museum. In 1978, Karl decided to make a change and began teaching at Tuscarawas Valley High School. There, he was known for holding students to a high standard and although his classes of chemistry and physics were among the hardest in the school, he was widely respected by his students who endearingly refereed to him simply as "Doc". During his 22 years of teaching high school, Karl would go on to win multiple teaching awards, including the prestigious Governor's Award five years in a row. Perhaps what he is most remembered for is his contribution to science fairs; local, state, and international. Many of his students would go on to compete and win at the International Science and Engineering Fair, which currently stands as the world's largest pre-college science competition. In addition, Karl was an active member of the community, participating in the Caldwell Masonic Lodge and serving as President & Treasurer of the Plain Township Lion's Club. Karl had many hobbies but among his most favorite was a fascination with tropical fish (at one time he had a combined number of fish tanks totaling 140-plus gallons), photography, and of course, memories that reminded him of Germany; especially apple strudel and Franziskaner beer. Nothing however, compared to his passion for his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers!Above all else, Karl was a people-person and cherished spending time with family, especially his grandchildren, always encouraging them to study hard and pimping them with questions about chemistry and physics. He will be dearly missed. He was preceded in death by his father, Karl Schwenk; mother and stepfather, Susanna and John Gruber. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Donna Schwenk; children, Karl (Julie) Schwenk, Karen (Charles) Johnson; grandchildren, Karl Hunter Schwenk, Jacob Heid, Nathan Heid, Karalyn Schwenk, Olivia Schwenk, Matthew Johnson, Leah Johnson; and cousins, Emily Majewski and Elizabeth Barkus. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Aultman Hospice and WindsorMedical Center for their care and support in the final weeks of his life. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Karl would be most honored with donations to support the students and teachers of Tuscarawas Valley High School at https://www. trojanfoundation. org/donate. Please visit www. reedfuneralhome. com to sign the online guestbook.Show more
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