Edward B. Schwenk | Psychiatrist, 84

Edward B. Schwenk of Schwenksville, a retired psychiatrist, died of pneumonia at the Frederick Mennonite Community on Thursday, his 84th birthday.

A lifelong resident of Schwenksville, Dr. Schwenk was a descendant of George Schwenk, the 17th century settler for whom the borough was named.

He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and earned a medical degree from Wayne State University during World War II in a Navy program to train doctors. He later served in the Army during the Korean War. He was stationed at a military hospital in California, where he met his future wife, Jean Buchkoe, a psychiatric nurse.

After his discharge, he completed a residency in psychiatry at Philadelphia General Hospital.

Dr. Schwenk maintained a private practice in Schwenksville and also was a psychiatrist for the student health service at the University of Pennsylvania, where he instructed medical students, and was on the staff of Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.

In his youth, Dr. Schwenk raced sprint cars, and he remained a racing enthusiast, his son Steven said.

In addition to his son, Dr. Schwenk is survived by sons Edward 3d, Gregory, and David, and four grandchildren. His wife of 47 years died in 2001.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 311 Church St., Schwenksville. Friends may call from 10.