Chris Schlenker

Chris was born on September 28,1970 in Hamilton, New York and always considered San Antonio the place where he grew up. He is the youngest son of Richard and Marianne Schlenker, both of whom passed while Chris was young. He is survived by his beloved husband, Kenn Esbin, his sister, Kerri Schlenker, brother Rick Schlenker and sister-in-law Melissa Schlenker. He is also the proud uncle of six nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly.

Chris was a talented and enthusiastic musician, saxophonist, percussionist, arranger and brilliant conductor. He loved music and working with the National LGBA, where he was honored on multiple occasions to be a guest conductor, as well as the local South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble which he has played with for 35 years and had the opportunity to serve as Assistant Director for three years.

He was a founding member of both the Flamingo Jazz Ensemble and the Saxophone Quartet. Some of Chris’s favorite SFPWE memories include being featured saxophone soloist on “Georgia on My Mind” and playing the whip on the “Sleigh Ride” and “Incantation and Dance”.

Chris came to Florida to explore his passion for scuba and became a certified Dive Instructor in 1995. This let him explore his true desire of traveling around the world, and later travel with his husband, Kenn. He dove off the shores of Hawaii and Australia, and got to visit six of the seven continents of the world. He went on amazing trips to Dubai, South Africa, England, Kuwait, and Germany.

About 15 years ago, shortly after meeting his soon to be husband, Chris got the chance to work his dream job of being a Flight Attendant working for Omni, Falcon, and Norwegian, before landing his dream company, Southwest Airlines. Ironically, Chris almost didn’t get the job because he was over-excited and too energetic. Just before his passing, Chris was to celebrate his 10-year anniversary with SWA.

Chris spent his time off the road at home where he learned to be a foodie, enjoy cooking, eating, and exploring restaurants with his husband. Chris would encourage his husband to go on cruises around the world, where they visited Italy, Spain, Hawaii, the Caribbean, New England, British Columbia, and even got to experience a Medi-cane (Mediterranean Hurricane) while visiting Greece.

In all, Chris was incredibly smart, talented, humble, and an incredible friend to many. He always had a smile, a laugh, a funny or shocking comment to make you smile. He made time for everyone and was truly a giver and positive influence. When you were with or on the phone with Chris, you knew you were going to laugh and feel wonderful because he always shifted the attention away from himself and made others feel special. He was the most amazing human and the world is less without him.

It was Chris’s desire to become a part of the very things he had such passion for, and requested that he be interned as part of an eternal reef off the coast of Miami.

A memorial service for Chris will start promptly Thursday, November 11 at 1:30 pm for family and friends at the Star of David Memorial Gardens Cemetery and Funeral Chapel located at 7801 Bailey Rd, North Lauderdale, FL. 33068. (954 )722-9000

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Pride Wind Ensemble. (https://www.pridewindensemble.org/supporters)