Roger Schwenk Memorial Fund NBFF Artist Assistance
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Roger Schwenk Memorial Fund Newport Beach Film Festival Artist and Filmmaker Assistance
In honor of one of our most supportive, dedicated and loving volunteers the Newport Beach Film Festival has initiated the Roger Schwenk Memorial Fund.
The proceeds of this fund, according to the wishes of Roger Schwnek, will support the opportunity for artists and filmmakers to participate in this beloved community event.
About Roger Schwenk:
Roger Schwenk, a Newport Beach resident for over half a century and cofounder of Old Newport Antiques, passed away on Saturday, April 3rd after a brief respiratory illness.
Roger Schwenk and his wife moved to Newport Beach in the mid 1960s and a few years later opened Old Newport Antiques located on Old Newport Blvd.
Schwenk’s youngest son, Christopher, explained his father’s diverse interests, “My father loved the problem solving and analytical side of engineering, but he also had an intense interest in history. He loved working with antiques and restoring them for people to use and enjoy. My father felt antiquing was the original recycling, nothing was ever wasted.” Set to celebrate its 50th anniversary later this fall, Old Newport Antiques is the longest running antique business in the City’s history.
“He was truly a legend in antiquing circles. Noted for his keen eye and encyclopedic knowledge of history as well as artists and craftsmen,” said Steve Rosansky, president of the Newport Chamber of Commerce.
Schwenk was born in Chicago, Illinois, to parents who were born in the late 1890s in an era before powered flight and would go on in his life to build and develop some of the most sophisticated and advanced space systems of the 20th century.
Schwenk’s childhood during the great depression was anything but depressing. He had incredible adventures with his sister June, his cousins Robert and Howard Zieleke and later his cousin Russell Fredrickson. Suburban Chicago of the 1930s would serve as the backdrop for many of their games of cops & robbers, cowboys & Indians and kick-the-can.
In the early 1940s his family moved to Miami, Florida. This change in location exposed Schwenk to a wide array of outdoor and ocean-based activities. He and his friends, including future cinematographer James Pergola and future United States Federal Judge Eugene Spellman, would trek through the Everglades, sail in Biscayne Bay, spearfish off the many reefs and explore the deserted Cape Florida Lighthouse.
That love of the ocean drew Schwenk into the United States Navy, where he served with distinction during the Korean War. He was stationed in Japan, the Philippines and Korea. After his honorable discharge, he received his Electrical Engineering Degree from the University of Florida.
Schwenk then came to Southern California to begin his career in the aerospace industry. He contributed to many pivotal programs including: Sprint-Zeus, the Manned Orbiting Laboratory, the Delta Launch Vehicle, the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. He retired in 1993 as a Senior Scientist from McDonald Douglas.
During his life, Schwenk developed a deep passion for the arts. His love of music, especially classic jazz, was a major part of his personality. He also had a heavy interest in classic films.
Schwenk’s eldest son Gregg said, “One of my earliest memories was watching Singing in the Rain with my dad. He knew everything about classic films. He was intrigued with the creative process and respected the abilities of people both in front and behind the camera. This was a major inspiration for me to build the Newport Beach Film Festival.”
He is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Joan, sons Christopher, Gregg and daughter-in-law Vanessa, his nephews Don (Tere) and Brett (Lisa) Bailey and several cousins.
The family has established the Roger Schwenk Memorial Fund at the Newport Beach Film Festival to assist aspiring artists and filmmakers to participate in this annual event.
About the Newport Beach Film Festival:
Celebrated as one of the leading lifestyle film festivals in the United States, the Newport Beach Film Festival seeks to bring to Orange County the best of classic and contemporary filmmaking from around the world. Committed to enlightening the public with a first-class international film program, a forum for cultural understanding and enriching educational opportunities, the NBFF focuses on showcasing a diverse collection of studio and independent films from around the globe. The 22nd annual Newport Beach Film Festival runs October 21st - 28th and will spotlight over 300 films from around the world.
Read More about Roger:
Newport Beach Independent
Stu News Newport Beach
In honor of one of our most supportive, dedicated and loving volunteers the Newport Beach Film Festival has initiated the Roger Schwenk Memorial Fund.
The proceeds of this fund, according to the wishes of Roger Schwnek, will support the opportunity for artists and filmmakers to participate in this beloved community event.
About Roger Schwenk:
Roger Schwenk, a Newport Beach resident for over half a century and cofounder of Old Newport Antiques, passed away on Saturday, April 3rd after a brief respiratory illness.
Roger Schwenk and his wife moved to Newport Beach in the mid 1960s and a few years later opened Old Newport Antiques located on Old Newport Blvd.
Schwenk’s youngest son, Christopher, explained his father’s diverse interests, “My father loved the problem solving and analytical side of engineering, but he also had an intense interest in history. He loved working with antiques and restoring them for people to use and enjoy. My father felt antiquing was the original recycling, nothing was ever wasted.” Set to celebrate its 50th anniversary later this fall, Old Newport Antiques is the longest running antique business in the City’s history.
“He was truly a legend in antiquing circles. Noted for his keen eye and encyclopedic knowledge of history as well as artists and craftsmen,” said Steve Rosansky, president of the Newport Chamber of Commerce.
Schwenk was born in Chicago, Illinois, to parents who were born in the late 1890s in an era before powered flight and would go on in his life to build and develop some of the most sophisticated and advanced space systems of the 20th century.
Schwenk’s childhood during the great depression was anything but depressing. He had incredible adventures with his sister June, his cousins Robert and Howard Zieleke and later his cousin Russell Fredrickson. Suburban Chicago of the 1930s would serve as the backdrop for many of their games of cops & robbers, cowboys & Indians and kick-the-can.
In the early 1940s his family moved to Miami, Florida. This change in location exposed Schwenk to a wide array of outdoor and ocean-based activities. He and his friends, including future cinematographer James Pergola and future United States Federal Judge Eugene Spellman, would trek through the Everglades, sail in Biscayne Bay, spearfish off the many reefs and explore the deserted Cape Florida Lighthouse.
That love of the ocean drew Schwenk into the United States Navy, where he served with distinction during the Korean War. He was stationed in Japan, the Philippines and Korea. After his honorable discharge, he received his Electrical Engineering Degree from the University of Florida.
Schwenk then came to Southern California to begin his career in the aerospace industry. He contributed to many pivotal programs including: Sprint-Zeus, the Manned Orbiting Laboratory, the Delta Launch Vehicle, the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. He retired in 1993 as a Senior Scientist from McDonald Douglas.
During his life, Schwenk developed a deep passion for the arts. His love of music, especially classic jazz, was a major part of his personality. He also had a heavy interest in classic films.
Schwenk’s eldest son Gregg said, “One of my earliest memories was watching Singing in the Rain with my dad. He knew everything about classic films. He was intrigued with the creative process and respected the abilities of people both in front and behind the camera. This was a major inspiration for me to build the Newport Beach Film Festival.”
He is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Joan, sons Christopher, Gregg and daughter-in-law Vanessa, his nephews Don (Tere) and Brett (Lisa) Bailey and several cousins.
The family has established the Roger Schwenk Memorial Fund at the Newport Beach Film Festival to assist aspiring artists and filmmakers to participate in this annual event.
About the Newport Beach Film Festival:
Celebrated as one of the leading lifestyle film festivals in the United States, the Newport Beach Film Festival seeks to bring to Orange County the best of classic and contemporary filmmaking from around the world. Committed to enlightening the public with a first-class international film program, a forum for cultural understanding and enriching educational opportunities, the NBFF focuses on showcasing a diverse collection of studio and independent films from around the globe. The 22nd annual Newport Beach Film Festival runs October 21st - 28th and will spotlight over 300 films from around the world.
Read More about Roger:
Newport Beach Independent
Stu News Newport Beach
Organizer and beneficiary
Newport Beach Film Festival
Organizer
Newport Beach, CA
Karen Adams
Beneficiary
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