Allen Gene Schienbein

Of Alexandria, VA passed peacefully on Friday December 23, 2011. The beloved son of Alfred L. and Gertrude H. Demeter Schienbein was born on September 13, 1930 in Freeport, IL. He graduated from Galesburg High School in 1948 and later attended Iowa State University, where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and received a B.S. in Forestry in 1952. After college, Allen served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force at Travis Air Force Base in California. With the aid of the GI Bill, he pursued his M.A. in economics and foreign trade at the University of the Americas in Mexico City. Learning the language and culture he met a lovely señorita, Maria L. Avila. They were married in Mexico City in 1958 after his commencement. The two embarked on a 53-year journey that led them to Kankakee, IL, where he taught economics at Marycrest Business College. Soon after, he accepted a position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC, eventually settling in Alexandria, VA where they raised four children. He served as an agricultural economist for the USDA for 30 years with a primary focus on wheat and grain commodities. His expertise was sought by major news media during the 1980 Russian wheat embargo. An avid gardener, Allen devoted countless hours tending to his vegetable garden. He also enjoyed fishing and spent many weekends and holidays at the family cottage in Lake Gaston, VA. His love for the outdoors could not be deterred by inclement weather or by the dementia he suffered in his last years of life.

He is survived by his wife, Maria; four children, David, Linda (Kevin Quinn), Dean, and Sandra (Geoff Beer); four grandchildren, Patrick, Colin, Eric and Jacqueline Quinn; his sister, Gail Savidge; two nieces, Carol Foster and Kim Linn. An inurnment will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. The family welcomes donations made in his memory to Disabled American Veterans, or charity of choice . A reception will follow the Mass at Walsh Hall.