John Grover Schenck

John Grover Schenck was born to George and Ann Schenck in Toledo, Oregon on January 10, 1948. His parents died in separate circumstances when John was young, so as an eighth grader he had to decide with whom to live. He chose his mother’s sister’s family in Siletz, Oregon. He became a brother to his cousins—Vern, Bev, Patti and Val—and remained closely bonded with them throughout his life.

During high school John participated in many activities, including drama, choir, band (he loved to play his sax, especially “Louie, Louie”) and sports—especially football and baseball. At Siletz, John became close friends with his future wife, Becky Roth, and also learned to know his future father-in-law, Roy Roth, who was his band and choir director. John graduated from Siletz H.S. in 1966.

John spent the next couple of years attending college at Eastern Oregon College and logging in Alaska and Washington. John and Becky reconnected in 1970 when Becky—teaching in Trenton, NJ—learned of John’s aunt’s death, and wrote him a letter of condolence. John and Becky began communicating regularly, and when Becky returned to Oregon after one year of teaching in NJ, both ended up in Albany—Becky teaching and John continuing to log. John soon decided logging was not his life’s calling, and went back to school at the University of Oregon. Becky and John married at Hendricks Park in Eugene on August 12, 1972. Becky continued to teach, and John graduated with an English degree from the UO in 1974, intending to teach. In the meantime, John took the opportunity to partner with Jim Crawford in an overseas business venture in the Middle East country of Oman. That was a rich experience for both John and Becky, but ended a year later when John’s partner died.

When an unknown aunt died in Kansas, leaving John a small amount of money, he decided to invest in a building lot and successfully built a small house. John was mostly self-taught, but became a skilled building contractor, a respected perfectionist in his trade. He completed many remodeling projects in Springfield and Eugene, and built a number of homes, including one for his mother and father-in-law, as well as two for his own family. Throughout his career, John became friends with many of the sub-contractors with whom he worked.

John and Becky had a rich life with their two sons, Andrew and Matthew, along with their extended families. Memorable trips were made in their motor home to British Columbia and to Yellowstone National Park. Both Andrew and Matt graduated from Sheldon H.S and now work as computer specialists in their respective companies.

John had many hobbies, from fishing and hunting to motorcycling—all with people who have remained friends throughout his life. John was also a dedicated Duck fan. Throughout his life, John could be counted on by family members, friends, and neighbors to fix whatever was in need of repair, something he did willingly and cheerfully. John helped Becky endlessly with gardening and numerous church and community projects.

In the past few years, John and Becky often had conversations about the rich life they shared, John repeatedly declaring he had lived a “good life” and “we have had a really good life together.” John died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack on April 23. He leaves his wife Becky, son Andrew (granddaughter Sarah) and son Matthew (wife Jilynn) as well as many extended family members and friends. A family gathering is planned to celebrate John's life later this summer.