Albert Ernest Schwenk

Albert "Al" Ernest Schwenk of Falls Church, VA passed away peacefully on May 30 at home with his family by his side. He was born in Dickinson, ND on February 18, 1940, to Fred and Ella (Sigmundstad) Schwenk. The family moved to Spokane, WA in 1945. In 1947 after his mother died, Al and his brother Fred moved back to ND to live with his aunt and uncle, Edna and Thor Sollin on a farm outside Minnewaukan. At the same time, his sister Barbara also moved back to ND to live with another aunt and uncle, Mabel and Harold Eastburn of Kenmare. Al graduated from Minnewaukan High School, the University of North Dakota, and Washington State University. After graduation, Al moved to Washington, DC to begin his career as an economist with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisitcs (BLS). He married Felicia Nathan from Dayton, OH on August 6, 1989. Their son Brian was born in 1991. Al retired from BLS in 2011 after more than 42 years of service. Two years later, Al returned to his old job working half-time two more years. After retiring, Al enjoyed gardening, walking, and enjoying nature. Al is survived by his wife, Felicia and son, Brian of Falls Church, sister, Barbara (Alfonso) Valle-Garay of Miami FL, brother, Fred (Carmen) Schwenk of Manhattan, KS, the cousin he grew up with James (Delores) Sollin, Bismarck, ND, mother-in-law Cicely Nathan, of Dayton, OH, and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents and father-in-law Maxwell Nathan. A memorial service will be held at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church on Friday June 7 at 1:30 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation for National Progress Mother Jones https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mjinhonor, representing journalist integrity that Al was passionate about. Memorial contributions may also be made to the Wildlife Rescue League, wildliferescueleague.org.