Daniel A.F. Schwenk, D.D.S.
Daniel A.F. Schwenk, D.D.S., passed away peacefully on April 4, 2015, at Keene Center Genesis from complications due to Parkinsons Disease which he had lived with for several years.
He was born on July 7, 1933, in Philadelphia, PA, to Marie (Hourdel) and Peter N. K. Schwenk II. He graduated from the Mount Hermon School (now Northfield Mount Hermon), Mount Hermon, MA, class of 1951. An athlete, he lettered in three sports, was treasurer of his senior class, and was a class correspondent for 25 years. A 1954 graduate of Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA., he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Economics. He was a class officer, a member of Zeta Chi fraternity, and lettered in football, basketball and track. Dr. Schwenk served in the United States Army in Landstuhl, Germany, as a medic and was honorably discharged. Accepted at Temple University Dental School, Philadelphia, PA, he graduated in 1960. He served his internship and residency at the Philadelphia General Hospital and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. He practiced dentistry in Princeton, Millville and Ocean City, NJ. for 36 years before retiring in 1995. Dr. Schwenk was active in Rotary in New Jersey and Vermont, with a perfect attendance record in Ocean City, NJ. Dan was president of the Ocean City organization and had the honor of being selected by fellow members as a Paul Harris Fellow.
On October 22, 1971, he and Paula W. Wiggins exchanged vows at Grandview heights Methodist Church in Lancaster, PA. They have been married for forty three years.
Dr. Schwenk was also a member of the Ocean City Yacht Club, the Ocean City Exchange Club, the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Church in Ocean City, the Cape May County Dental Society, Delta Sigma Delta (Desmos), an international dental fraternity, and the American Dental Association, and was licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Throughout his practice “Doc” Schwenk treated Medicaid patients when no one else would and treated patients in poor areas of Cape May County, NJ, many of whom in that backward area in the 1960s suffered from malnutrition or worked at seasonal positions such as laurel or holly picker. Many of these patients had no money and would arrive with eggs or a chicken of fish as payment for their treatment. He volunteered for many years as a dentist for the Ocean City School District and received a commendation from Ocean City for his years of service.
Dr. Schwenk and his wife Paula retired to Walpole, NH in 1996. He was a Trustee of Trust Funds for six years in Walpole, and served on the Recycling Committee for six years before retiring due to illness. He was also Treasurer for the Friends of Walpole Library. Dan tutored Cambodian immigrants in English and was a volunteer tax preparer for senior citizens. Dan enjoyed tennis, alpine skiing, boating, bike riding, traveling the USA, Europe, and Africa, especially to France to visit his French relatives and friends.
Dr. Schwenk is survived by his wife Paula and his four children, Christopher S. Schwenk and his wife, Susan Francati, of Tierra Verde, FL., Julie E. Mason and her husband, Dr. Julian Mason III of Florence, SC, Daniel A.P. Schwenk and his wife, Dr. Sophie Markovich, of Cotuit, MA. and Matheu H.S. Schwenk and his wife, Heather L. of Washington, D.C. In addition he leaves six grandchildren, one sister, Jeannette of Maui, Hawaii. His parents and brother, Peter, are deceased.
In keeping with Dans wishes all services will be private. Donations can be made in memory of Daniel A.F. Schwenk D.D.S. to: Advancement Office House, The Ethics Chair, Ursinus College, 601 Main Street, Collegeville, PA 19426: or to Gift Recording Office, Norton House, Northfield Mount Hermon School, 1 Lamplighter Way, Mount Hermon, MA 01354. All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03341. WWW.cheshirefamilyfh.com.
