Clarence Schenck Obituary

Clarence Leonard Schenck Jr GOOSE CREEK - Clarence Leonard Schenck Jr, 87, of Goose Creek, South Carolina, passed away July 29th at MUSC Hospital after complications from a fall. Born April 5th, 1938, in Wilkinsburg Pennsylvania, to the late Clarence Leonard Schenck and Ruth Eleanor Dunn. Known to many as Leonard or Len, he graduated from Oakmont High School in 1956 and briefly attended Pitt University. He spent summers working for Kokales Market, Edgewater Steel Company and the Oakmont Country Club. Prior to joining the Air Force in 1959, He met and married the love of his life, Kathleen (Kay) Mary Ritter Schenck. They were married for 40 years until her death in 1999. He attended his initial military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He received numerous decorations and commendations to include selection as Honor Graduate with the 16th Air Force's Air Police Academy. Leonard's Air Force career took him across the globe with multiple TDYs . His last assignment was Charleston Air Force Base, SC, where he and Kay decided to retire. One of his proudest military memories was being involved in the recovery of four unarmed atomic bombs that broke loose from a B-52 off the coast of Palomares, Spain, in 1966. After retiring from the Air Force in 1979, Leonard worked for Exxon Chemical and Linq Industrial Fabrics in Summerville as a Supervisor. Leonard was a quiet man with a wonderful sense of humor and sharp wit, he loved a good pun. He enjoyed traveling, bird watching, reading, going to the beach and going out to eat to support local businesses and restaurants. He loved to have a good beer and was a supporter of local breweries. He was an avid birdwatcher and could tell you everything you wanted to know about what landed at his feeders. He was a supporter of SC Educational Television (ETV) and several wildlife charities. Leonard was predeceased by his three sisters (Christine Schutzler, Sally Nass and Sue Clites); wife, Kay; and son, Daniel. He is survived by his son, Jerry and his extended family, daughter, Cathie Edwards; grandchildren, Sarah Adams, Megan Edwards, Michael Edwards, David Schenck; and several great nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, August 15th, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Carolina Memorial Funeral Home, 7113 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC. Inurnment with Military Honors to follow visitation. In Lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the National Audubon Society, World Wildlife Fund, National Geographic or to your favorite charity. For additional information or to leave condolences, please visit CarolinaMemorial.com.