Obituary of Allyn R. Schwinkendorf

Allyn R. Schwinkendorf, 1933 - 2009, born in New Salem, North Dakota, raised on a farm in Newberg, Oregon, passed peacefully at home Sunday morning, with his wife of over 40 years and two children at his bedside. Allyn worked as a Boeing engineer for 38 years, starting the day after college graduation. Allyn remained a doer, even while living with Parkinsons disease for over 25 years. He built furniture, ran, cycled, and swam, but his first and best love was skiing. In the height of his running career, he was a top Masters marathoner, and completed the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run. Just months before his passing, he still trotted around the local track with his cane, not letting the occasional stumbles stop him. He skied most every winter weekend at Crystal Mountain, and competed in running and cycling races throughout the summer. Friends he made through skiing, the Snohomish Track Club, and his lunch running group at Boeing would continue to visit him and support his wife during his last difficult months. Allyn was a quiet, humble, gentle man with a huge presence. He loved reading, telling jokes, classical music, woodworking, and pushing himself as an athlete. He kept his sense of humor and never complained, and in fact was often heard saying keep smiling, even as his physical capabilities were compromised by Parkinsons. Allyn is survived by his wife, Doris; his mother, Hattie; sister Judy; brothers Mickey and Kevin; children, Nicole and Jeff; one niece, eight nephews, and eleven great nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life will be held on his birthday, October 24, at the family home in Edmonds, Washington, following a 2 p.m. memorial service at nearby Restlawn Cemetery. The family wishes to thank BJB Geriatric Services and Allyns caregivers, who tended to him and his family throughout his last few weeks. Memorials may be given in his name to the Parkinsons Disease Association: href=http://www.pdf.org/en/fund_memdon http://www.pdf.org/en/fund_memdon