Robert Schwentker

1948 - 2021

Robert Schwentker
April 7, 1948 - March 27, 2021
Raleigh, North Carolina - Robert (Bob) Bristol Schwentker has a grander view of eternal Life now as of March 27, 2021. Bob was born in Phoenix, Arizona, to Franklin James Schwentker and Barbara Bristol Schwentker on April 7, 1948. He grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and graduated from Principia College in 1970 and the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1973. After law school, he served as a Captain in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG). Following his service in the Air Force, Bob practiced law in Raleigh for over 40 years, including 15 years as a partner with a law firm, 25 years as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC), and most recently as Senior Counsel at Nexsen Pruet, LLC. Bob conducted annual legal seminars for many years for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), chaired a national Governance Task Force for NRECA, was a founding member of the national Electric Cooperative Bar Association (ECBA), and was a member of the Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section (IRIS) of the American Bar Association. In addition, he is a past member of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Chamber and of the Board of Trustees of his alma maters The Principia School and Principia College where he also served on the Steering Committee for his 50th college reunion. Upon retirement from NCEMC, he was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine for exemplary service to the State of North Carolina. While Bob made a significant impact in his chosen profession, his family and his church were the center of his life. A long-time member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Raleigh, he served in various leadership roles, taught Sunday School, and was a cherished friend to many. Bob is lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years Joyce (Joy) Nickell Schwentker and his sons David Nickell Schwentker (Caroline) of Raleigh and Robert Andrew Schwentker (Lee) of Arlington, Virginia, and his three grandchildren, Cameron Schwentker, Claire Schwentker, and Will Schwentker. He is also survived by a brother, Franklin David Schwentker of Taos, New Mexico, and beloved in-laws, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his other brother, Bruce James Schwentker. Bob lived a full life attending sporting events, movies, concerts, and plays and loved to travel, most recently with his wife Joy to Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. Bob and Joy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their sons and their families over Labor Day weekend in 2020, with family and friends sending loving messages from around the country and world to celebrate them. Bob enjoyed many beautiful days on golf courses with family, friends, and colleagues—an acquaintance at the first hole was a friend by the 18th. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contributions in Bob's memory may be made to: First Church of Christ, Scientist, Raleigh, NC 1400 Hillsborough St. 27605, https://www.christianscienceraleigh.com/donate-2/; Principia College '70-'71 50th Reunion Fund, 13201 Clayton Rd., St. Louis, Missouri 63131, https://www.principiagiving.org/contactus/reuniongiving; Cedars Camps, Lebanon, Missouri, https://www.cedarscamps.org/giving/; or North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center, https://www.med.unc.edu/surgery/burn.