Christopher Schonwalder

1943 - 2026

Christopher Otto Schonwalder passed away on January 27, 2026, just days shy of his 83rd birthday.



Chris was born on January 31, 1943, in the Bronx, New York, and raised in Queens. He was a first-generation American, the son of Otto and Edith Schonwalder, who escaped Nazi-occupied Vienna and arrived in the United States via Ellis Island in 1939. The opportunity and safety America provided to his family shaped Chris deeply. A profound patriotism and gratitude for a country that welcomed refugees and offered the chance to prosper were instilled in him from an early age and remained central to his identity throughout his life.



Chris enrolled in ROTC while in college and went on to earn his PhD from Penn State University. He served two years in the U.S. military during the Vietnam era, continuing a lifelong commitment to service. The majority of his professional career was spent serving his country and the global community in senior roles at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), a branch of the National Institutes of Health.



Through his work, Chris had the opportunity to travel extensively, visiting every continent and most countries around the world. His home reflected this global life-filled with objects ranging from small market finds to significant works of art, each tied to a place, a moment, and a story.



After retirement, Chris embarked on a second career that returned him to his true passion: photography. He became especially known for his dance photography and served for many years as a photographer for the North Carolina Ballet. His work captured movement, discipline, and grace-qualities he deeply admired.



Chris was also an avid tennis player and a dedicated member of the Raleigh Racquet Club, where 2026 marks his 50th year of membership.



Chris's second wife, Rebecca Strimer, was the love of his life. She passed away more than 25 years ago, and he never went a day without thinking of her. Though he carried on as best he could, he never truly moved on from that loss.



He lived fully, loved deeply, and was ready, even eager, to take his next existential steps, having experienced an extraordinarily rich and meaningful life.



He is survived by his son, Matthew; daughter-in-law, Laura; and his beloved grandchildren, Otto (20) and Olivia (18), both students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.



A celebration of life will be planned for early spring to occur in Raleigh, NC and made available virtually online as well. Details will be posted to his Facebook page in the coming weeks.



In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation in his name to an organization that reflects his values and passions. These may include nonprofits such as WUNC, PBS, the North Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Museum of Art, scientific research foundations, or organizations that support returning science, reason, and empathy to public and political life.