BLACK MOUNTAIN — On April 17, 2012, Lee W. Schwenn, son of LeRoy and Vivian Kramer Schwenn, passed away of complications from Parkinson's Disease.
Born December 23, 1925 in Leeds, Wisconsin, he worked at a variety of jobs to put himself through college at the University of Wisconsin, and graduate school at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where he earned a Master's Degree in Public Health Administration.
Following assignments in local, state and federal government health programs, Lee concluded his career after 18 years as the Administrator of Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, where under his leadership. Its operation emerged from annual deficits to continual surpluses that supplied funding for several medical and construction expansion programs. His tenure in Brooklyn was most notably marked by an abiding concern for the community that his hospital served, his fair and even-handed approach to personnel relations and labor union issues, comprehensive judgment, a reliable sense of humor, and an unfailing dedication to serving the needs and welfare of his fellow man.
Along with a steady love and deep sense of responsibility for providing for his family, Lee had a passion for outdoor work, cutting and splitting firewood, tending flowers and shrubs, fine carpentry, and artistic sketching. He devoted his retirement years to his hobbies, and to enjoying time with his family.
Surviving Lee are his wife (Glenna) of Black Mountain, North Carolina, his son (William/Skip) and daughter-in-law (Mary) of Warrensville, North Carolina, a sister (Hazel Boom) of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and nephews and nieces in Wisconsin, California and Texas. Another sister (Viola Bartels), of Eastman, Wisconsin, predeceased him.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, April 20, 2012 at 3 p.m. in the Assembly Room at Highland Farms with Rev. Dr. Crystal McPhail officiating.
Lee will be sorely missed by friends, colleagues, and family for his unflinching honesty, commitment to hard work, firm but gentle touch, and appreciation of the humor and beauty that life offers. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any gift offerings in Lee's honor and memory be made to Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.
"It is in giving ... that we receive;
It is in pardoning ... that we are pardoned;
It is in dying ... that we are born to eternal life."
Arrangements are in the care of Harwood Home for Funerals, 828-669-2977
www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com
