Obituary of William E. Schwenk

William E. Schwenk, 99 of Venice, FL, formerly from Norristown, PA, passed away on August 14^th after a brief illness.

Bill was a graduate of Norristown High School and served for three years in the Navy during World War 2 on the carrier Kasaan Bay, fighting in both the Pacific arena and in the Atlantic, in support of the D-Day invasion.

Following his return from war, Bill attended Drexel University and became an engineer working for International Paper Company. While working on their paper milk carton process, he invented the rapid run flame sealer which eliminated the need for wax coatings, forever changing the manufacture of paper milk and juice cartons across the industry.

Bill was the son of Florence (Klehamer) Schwenk and Ralph Schwenk. He was married for 53 years to the love of his life, Rita Bernstiel Schwenk who passed in 1999. He was the loving father of daughter, Debra Schwenk Perlow and her husband Michael of East Greenville, PA and the proud grandfather of Max William Perlow of Lafayette Hill and his wife Katerina, who are currently expecting Bill’s first great-grandchild.

In his younger days, he maintained his pilot’s license and loved to fly vintage biplanes. He was an avid freshwater-saltwater fisherman and hunter. During his time living in Florida, Bill was well known to his friends as a brilliant chess player. He was still playing daily into his 99^th year. He was also an avid organ player and had a large Lowry organ.

His Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 10:30 AM from St. Francis of Assisi Church, 600 Hamilton Street, Norristown, PA 19401.  Relatives and friends are invited to the visitation on Saturday morning from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM at the Church.  

Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to: Tidewell Foundations, 3550 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota FL 34239.

Arrangements by Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 19 East Germantown Pike, East Norriton, PA, (610) 277-1600  www.msrfh.com