Roy U. Schenk

Roy U. Schenk age 93 of DeForest, Wis., passed away on Friday April 21, 2023, at the Agrace HospiceCare Center, due to cardiac and memory issues. He was born on November 18, 1929, in Indiana to Joseph and Marie Schenk. He married Martha Wathen on September 2, 1950, and together they had ten children.

Roy had a full scholarship to Purdue for his undergraduate degree and received his doctorate from Cornell at age 23. He has worked as a chemistry researcher and a teacher and has written several books on men’s issues. Roy was very active in the New Warriors men’s group and other national men’s organizations. He was a very generous person and always gave what he could, and then some, to those in need and to the causes he believed in. Roy was an avid gardener and loved to plant flowers and vegetables to share with others. He made excellent cherry wine and cherry pies and was a skilled card player, winning at Euchre and Bridge regularly. Roy was a spiritual person and had strong beliefs related to social justice. In 1968 he took two of his sons to Washington D.C. to hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. He also marched in Milwaukee with Father Groppi during the civil rights movement and spent 30 days in jail as a war tax protester against the Vietnam War. Since coming to Madison in 1967, Roy has worshipped with the Community of John 23 for 25 years until they disbanded and then with The Society of Friends.

Roy is survived by his partner of 44 years, Kathryn Seifert of Windsor; his children, Chris (Kim Kahl) of Middleton, Dave of Tucson AZ, Becky Gonzales (Raul) of Evansville, Mike (Kate) of Madison, Tom (Kim) of Watertown, Ben (Becky) of Clymer, NY, Judy of Madison, Frank (DeAnn) of Madison, Steve (Dawn) of Beloit, and Kathy (Robb Gallus) of Madison; his former wife Martha, of Madison; and Kathryn’s children, Vicki Harkins (Don Schmitz) and Steve Harkins. He is further survived by his brothers, John and Jim; his sisters, Janet and Margery; and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.

A memorial gathering will be held at ALL FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL, 4058 Lien Rd., Madison, on Thursday April 27, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. A green burial will take place at 11 a.m., on Thursday, at Natural Path Sanctuary located on the grounds of the Linda & Gene Farley Center for Peace, Justice, and Sustainability, 2299 Spring Rose Road, Verona, Wis. Friends and family are welcome to attend.

Memorials may be made to the Farley Center for Peace, Justice, and Sustainability; a charity of your choice; or to the family.

All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services of Madison is assisting the family. Online condolences can be shared at www.866allfaiths.com.