David Schrenk 5W4, a long-time member of Williamson’s Board of Trustees, a generous Williamson benefactor, and a skilled mason and home builder, died March 2.
Board Chairman William Bonenberger 7W9 said, “Williamson lost a legend and a family member with the passing of Dave Schrenk. Dave and his brother Mickey 4W9 were both graduates of the masonry program and both went on to become successful home builders and developers in Bucks County. Dave was the quintessential young man that Mr. Williamson had in mind when he founded Williamson. Dave grew up in Philadelphia without a father and Williamson provided an opportunity that changed his life and that of his entire family. Dave was a humble, hard-working guy who loved Williamson and supported it from the day he graduated until the day he passed, with his time, talent, and treasure. He and his brother Mickey, who was the closest thing to a father Dave had, both served on the board for years and supported many projects on campus, including the last major renovation to Byers dorm, the previous renovation to our chapel, and the construction of the ring road around campus known as Schrenk’s Way. Dave will always hold a very special place in my heart as he is the person who came to my office 30+ years ago looking for a donation to the then current Williamson Capital campaign. He told me in that meeting that I had to get more involved at Williamson. Fortunately, I took his advice. Dave is a Williamson legend and he will be missed.”
Michael Piotrowicz, the longest serving member of Williamson’s board, said, “Dave was a close friend for more than 40 years and his friendship meant a great deal to me. His love for Williamson ran incredibly deep. For decades he gave his time, leadership, and generosity to the school, and he especially loved keeping his class together — often hosting classmates at his lake house on Fairview Lake, continuing a tradition he shared with his brother Mickey. Just weeks before he passed, Dave told me how indebted he was to Williamson and how much his experience there shaped the success of his life. After more than 70 years connected to the school, he was incredibly proud of the current administration and the leadership of the board, and grateful to see Williamson in such a strong position for the future. Dave always felt fortunate to have Williamson in his life, but Williamson was equally fortunate to have Dave. He will be missed by all of us who knew him.”
President Michael Rounds said, “We were saddened to hear of the passing of Dave Schrenk, a generous lifelong Williamson benefactor, long serving trustee, a successful builder and businessman, and most importantly, the epitome of a Williamson man. Dave loved Williamson College of the Trades and spent a great deal of his time, talent, and treasure furthering the mission of the school. He hosted annual get togethers for his Williamson classmates at this lake home for decades and was the glue that kept the class of 5W4 together. We are so grateful for all he has done for Williamson and the legacy that he and his brother Mickey have left here. He will go down in Williamson history as one of our most passionate alumnus and will be greatly missed by all of us. We ask you to keep his family in your prayers.”
Dave Schrenk was a grateful alumnus and over the years helped the school a great deal. He provided the funding for Schrenk’s Way, the loop road that circles the campus; the renovation of the chapel, named the Clara Schrenk Memorial Chapel in honor of his mother; and he established the C.W. Schrenk 4W9 Young Alumnus Award which is presented to an alumnus who has graduated within the previous 15 years and has distinguished himself by having made substantial contributions to his profession and to society. He brought in other philanthropists who have donated to the school and sponsored the John J. Sabia Memorial Award which is presented at Commencement to the masonry student who demonstrates the greatest skill and speed in bricklaying. He is a member of the Wanamaker Society whose members have included Williamson in their planned gifts.
He served on the Board of Trustees from 1989 to 2005. Over the years, he served as annual fund chairman and often recruited young men to become Williamson students. Every summer he hosted a full-day picnic at his vacation home in the Poconos, which included classmates, members of Williamson’s leadership, and friends.
After graduating, he worked as a union bricklayer for two years for John B. Kelly Brickwork in Philadelphia. After a one-year apprenticeship he received his journeyman’s card, making him a full-fledged bricklayer. In 1956, he went to work at Forge Construction Co., in Utica, N.Y., as a mason and later as a job foreman. In 1959, he moved to Bucks County to open his own masonry business, David J. Schrenk Masonry Co.
In 1961, his business was doing very well, but he had developed back problems. Realizing he had a strong background in the building trades from his Williamson education, he began D.J.S. Custom Home Builders & Land Developers, a home construction business in Bucks County, as the owner and president, specializing in single-family homes and land development. His business philosophy was: “Be proud to tell people, this is my work.” He retired in 1998.
He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1991, the Alumnus of the Year Award in 1999, and the Isaiah Vansant Williamson Award in 2005.
Schrenk grew up poor in Philadelphia where he and his brother and sister were raised by their divorced mother. He began working at an early age to help out the family.
He considered acceptance into Williamson as a godsend and said he never would have been successful in life if not for Williamson.
He considered his greatest accomplishment in life to be the raising of his five daughters – Debbie, Donna, Darlene, Dawn, and Dana – and instilling in them the virtues taught at Williamson.
