Randy Schenk

Randy Schenk, of Pasadena, California, went to be with the Lord on September 9, 2024.

Services will be held at 12:00 noon on November 9, 2024, at Saint Rita Catholic Church, 318 N. Baldwin Avenue, Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Family and friends are invited to the church service and to the Schenk/Yates home following the church service for refreshments and sharing remembrances.

Randy’s life was not easy, but his faith, love of family, and many talents sustained him through 85 years. He graduated with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Wyoming and had progressive careers that culminated with being a Software Engineer.

Family was important to Randy, and he is survived by many loving family members, including: his daughter, Kathy Rouff, her husband, David, and their daughter, Melissa, who will marry Kevin Arthur in October. His wife, Sonja Yates, who resides in their Pasadena home. His brother, Dale Schenk, his wife, Flo, and their children Erica and Austin (wife Allison and two daughters). His niece, Tammy Schenk, and her husband, Lance Baum. His wife Sonja’s son Brad Yates, his wife, Jill, and their sons Brian and Corey. His wife Sonja’s son Craig Yates, his wife, Cindy, and their children: Christopher (wife Carina, children Benji and Selena), Jessica (husband Josh, children Baylee and Liam), Jonathan (wife Stephanie, children Maggie Mae, Lily Jo, and James (Jay-Jay)), and Michael (wife Kaylee, children Ariadne and Aeson). His deceased wife Joy’s son Glen Martin II, his wife, Della, and their son, Glen III. His deceased wife Joy’s daughter Vicki Surbatovich, her husband, Stan, and their children: Anna, Amy, Christian, Josiah, and Milijana (husband Sean). His deceased wife Joy’s son David Martin, his wife, Laura, and their son, Ben.

In 1992, Randy established the Karen Schenk Memorial Scholarship at Canoga Park Senior High School in honor of his deceased daughter, Karen Schenk. He and his wife, Sonja, have funded the scholarship through 2039, which would have been his 100th birthday.

During Sonja’s 17 years of post-retirement service as Executive Director of the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, Randy took pride and joy in being a construction leader supporting a good cause locally; he also helped build 82 houses in Thailand.

Words that describe Randy include: Caring, Kind, Generous, Intelligent, Inquisitive, Family-Oriented, Hardworking, Problem-Solver, Photographer, Waterskiier, Boatsman, Runner, Cyclist, Challenge-Level Square Dancer, Loving Husband.

Randy loved the poetry of Ogden Nash and taught Nash’s humorous verses to his many grandchildren:

The Duck: Behold the duck, it does not cluck. A cluck it lacks. It quacks. It is specially fond of a puddle or pond. When it dines or sups, it bottoms ups.

Rest in peace, Dear Soul!