In Memoriam

Forrest Victor Schwengels, II
3May1945 - 4April 2017

Lt. Col. (USAF, Ret) Forrest Victor Schwengels II passed away on April 4, 2017 at the age of 71. Forrest was born on May 3, 1945 in Fort Worth, Texas to Forrest and Betty Schwengels.

As the child of an Air Force officer, Forrest lived in numerous locations around the country and world as his father was assigned to various duty stations. At one such duty station in Bunker Hill, Ind., he met his future wife, Joyce. After graduation from high school, in Fairfield Iowa, he attended the US Air Force Academy.

Following his graduation in 1968, he married his high school sweetheart, Joyce, and whisked her off to Alabama where he attended flight school. Soon after, he served in Vietnam as a pilot. Upon returning from the war, he became a flight instructor and also earned a Master of Science in engineering management from the University of Alabama.

During his 26-year career in the Air Force he served with honor and distinction as a pilot (C-7, T-37, A-37, OV-10), flight instructor, missile design engineer, forward air controller, and a computer network architect. After retiring in June 1990, he settled in Oak Ridge, Tenn. and began working for Martin-Marietta as a network engineer at the Department of Energy's K-25 site. He worked in various roles including team lead, project technical lead, and finally section manager in many DOE locations. In April 2013, he retired after 23 years of company service.

Privately, Forrest was a loving husband, a remarkable father, and role model for his four children, and his 12 grandchildren. He loved serving the Lord in his many callings as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His service included scoutmaster, young men's advisor, counselor to the bishop, ward clerk, and stake clerk. Forrest and Joyce served a two-year mission for their church at the Knoxville, Tenn. Bishop's Storehouse as storehouse managers from August 2013-August 2015.
He loved woodworking and spent many hours in his woodshop. Other hobbies include macramé, playing guitar, and spoiling grandchildren. He also enjoyed camping and travelling with his children and grandchildren. He is survived by Joyce, his beloved wife of more than 48 years; their children Dawn, Forrest (Chip), Matthew, Steven, and their spouses; his 12 grandchildren; his sister Suzanne Schwengels, brother Paul Schwengels and their families; plus so many other relatives and friends.

Forrest was interred, April 10, 2017, with full Military Honors in the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Forrest requested that donations be made to the Arthritis Foundation to show his love and support of a granddaughter who has juvenile idiopathic arthritis. He was a patriot who loved his country and his family with every fiber of his being.

He leaves behind a wonderful legacy and example for all who knew him. Passing of time does not dim his love of us or our love for him. Our family thanks and expresses are love to all who took their precious time to express their condolences.

(The Schwengels family)


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