Frederick William Schink

Frederick William Schink, 95 of Johns Island, South Carolina, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2026.

Born on November 27, 1930, in Pittsfield, MA, Frederick was the son of the Late Madeline (Lear) Schink and William Schink.

Born in late 1930, Frederick came of age as the Great Depression gave way to World War II, memories of ration books and radio bulletins marking his earliest years. As a young man, he witnessed the rise of television, the Civil Rights Movement, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and the thrill of the Space Age, culminating in the Moon landing. Midlife carried him through the upheaval of Watergate, the end of the Cold War, and the arrival of personal computers. In later years, Frederick lived through the shock of 9/11, wars in the Middle East, the Great Recession, and astonishing advances in medicine and technology. In his final chapter, he endured a global pandemic and saw a world far more connected—and transformed—than the one into which he was born.

Frederick attained a Master of Education Degree from NY State University at New Paltz and had a long career in NY State Corrections as the Director of Education at Woodbourne Correctional Facility.

Frederick was a Veteran of the United States Army and long-term member of the Kingston Maennerchor and Damenchor (German Choir) and the Bergvagabunden Schuhplattler (Mountain Wanderers) clubs of Kingston, NY.

Frederick is preceded in death by his parents, William Schink and Madeline (Lear) Schink; His first wife Edeltraud “Trudy” (Wagner) Schink and sister Claire (Lear) Wahlquist.

Frederick is survived by his wife of 35 years, Ingrid Elke (Eickrodt) Schink; two daughters, Rosalie Schink and Linda Ellis; son, Willett Richter (Kelley); three granddaughters, Emily Ellis, Rebecca Gauvin (Dan), and Casey Mitchell (Glen); two grandsons, Ryan Richter and Kyle Richter; two great-granddaughters, Savannah Richter and Melody Mitchell; great-grandson, Zach Gauvin; in addition to nieces Cyndi Rivas and Elise Breyette.

A Celebration of Life service is being planned for a later date.

Frederick will be interred at Wiltwyck Cemetery, 205 West O’Reilly Street, Kingston, NY 12401.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Judes Hospital.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation - James Island, 347 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412, 843-614-8494.