DeWayne Schwalenberg

DeWayne G. "Dewey" Schwalenberg died March 1, 2011, while scuba diving with his wife, Patty. He was a 20-year resident of Anchorage. The funeral service and burial were held in Lac du Flambeau, Wis., on March 8, 2011. A memorial service was held in Anchorage on March 15, 2011.

Dewey was born to Vernon and Mary. Schwalenberg on March 21, 1946, in Sheboygan, Wis. He attended UW-Stevens Point, graduating with B.S. degrees in Wildlife Management, Biology and Secondary Education.

Dewey joined the U.S. Navy in 1965. After training, he was assigned to Underwater Demolition Team 22. He was a member of SEAL Team Two and served in Vietnam in 1967-68.

Dewey worked his entire career in fish and wildlife, working the last 30 years for tribal governments. He started with the Lac du Flambeau Chippewa Tribe in 1981, then served tribes nationally with the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society. In 1991, he and his family moved to Alaska, where he worked for the Stevens Village Tribal Council.

Dewey was a passionate advocate for the rights of tribal governments and firmly believed that indigenous knowledge and education were the foundations for successful tribal natural resource programs. He respected tribes and their cultures and worked tirelessly to assist them in realizing the visions they had for their people.

Dewey approached life as an adventure and was a man of many talents. He was a scuba diver for 40 years, a strong athlete, musician, dog trainer, numismatist, woodworker, outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman, gardener and military historian.

Most of all, Dewey had a strong spiritual faith and was extremely devoted to his family. "He was a man of honor, passion and energy," his family stated. "His intelligence, good humor and leadership will be sorely missed, but these qualities will live on in each of those who were fortunate enough to know him."

Dewey was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Craig. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Patty; children Sadie, Katie, and Adam; grandchildren William, Eva and Morgan; brother Terry, two nephews, David and Andy, and extended family.