Robert Clarence Schwenker

Robert C. “Bob” Schwenker

     Robert (Bob) Schwenker was born in Bartlesville, OK on November 14, 1930, to Clarence & Grace (Dallas) Schwenker.  He is the grandson of Rosa Secondine and great grandson of Fillmore Secondine and Rachel Logan and descendant of Chief James Secondine and Chief John Killbuck. Bob was an enrolled member of both the Delaware and Cherokee Nations. Bob attended school in Bartlesville and Barnsdall, OK, before enlisting in the US Navy.  He also received his associate degree in chemistry from Connors State College.  He married his high school sweetheart Wilma Howell on July 7, 1952, in Claremore, OK.  To this union, they were blessed with a son Robert and twin daughters Jeanie and Lynn.  Bob worked for National Supply Co. as a field service manager in northern Kansas, until being transferred back to his home state, making their home in Hominy since May of 1960.  He retired from National Supply in 1986.

     Bob loved hunting, fishing and camping with his family, taking many enjoyable and memorable trips to the Illinois river and surrounding lakes.  After retirement, he and Wilma enjoyed traveling together to watch bull riding events out west, sometimes taking their camper so they could stop at various lakes and fish. During their travels, family members were always visited along the way.  Another favorite pastime was taking cruises, especially to Puerto Rico.  Bob was quite skilled and built a covered porch around the side and back of their home and rocked their home in native stone.  When people came by, he could always be heard saying “come on in this house”.  And somehow Bob could always find time to watch old westerns.  When grandkids came along, he taught them to play blackjack, garden and telling stories from the past.  Bob passed away at his home on Saturday evening, November 4, 2023, at the age of 92.

     Those that survive and hold many cherished memories include his wife Wilma of 71 years; son Robert C. Schwenker Jr (Yoely), of rural Hominy; daughter Jeanie Harman of Florence, AL; and daughter Lynn Cook (Terry) of Florence, AL; three sisters Rose Bienroth of Pampa, TX, Shirley Bailey and Sue Biddle, both of El Dorado, KS; ten grandchildren Rachel Underwood, Becky Schwenker, RC Schwenker, Jennifer Brumley, Codi McGill, Amy Thomas, Jessica Jordan, Jared Harman, Jose Schwenker, Maria Schwenker and fourteen great grandchildren.  Bob was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Betty Brown and Marie Keesler and one brother Bill Schwenker.

     Memorial services for Bob will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, November 14^th   in the chapel of the Powell Funeral Home with Dusty Giles officiating. The family has requested in lieu of flowers, to honor Bob’s memory, consider donations to the Demetia Society of America and the American Heart Assoc.  Arrangements for final disposition were entrusted to the Powell Funeral Home of Hominy, OK.  www.powellfuneralservice.com