Lasting Memories

John Curtis Shenk
July 22, 1942-Sept. 1, 2016
Atherton, California

John Curtis Shenk was Elevated to Glory on September 1, 2016. His ever-present love and peace were fueled by his strong faith and his desire to be used by God to love others. Born in San Francisco, California, on July 22, 1942, John was the third child of Sam and Sally Shenk.

He attended Lick-Wilmerding High School, where his kicking/punting skills were notable. He became one of, if not the best punter in the country, breaking records for that position and playing in the East-West game.

Following one year at Menlo College, John transferred to and graduated from U.C. Berkeley with the Class of 1964. As a Bear Backer, he held season tickets for both football and basketball, donated to the rugby team and became a frequent visitor to the Athletic Office. GO BEARS!

While at Cal, John joined the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and served twice as its President. Recruited to play rugby by Coach “Doc” Hudson, he left his football dreams to play three years for that iconic "Old Blues" team where he proved to be an amazing athlete.

Not only were lifelong friendships built, more significantly, Cal was where he met Sheri Smith, the girl he would spend the next 54 years with as best friend, husband, father of their four sons and grandfather to their nine grandchildren.

John and Sheri were married in 1964 in Menlo Park. A sales position with Dole Pineapple Co. pulled them from the Bay Area to Illinois, then to New Jersey and Massachusetts.

In 1970, John joined a small commercial mortgage brokerage company in Boston. A few years later, he took a job with Citibank in San Francisco, and the family returned to their home base on the Peninsula, where they rejoined their extended families and have lived since.

In 1973 John accepted an offer from Union Bank to be the Palo Alto Business Development VP where his business friendships blossomed. It was in 1982 that he made his final career move: buying Argus Financial Corporation in San Mateo. Argus grew to become one of the most trusted boutique commercial brokers serving the broad needs of national and local real estate professionals. Always committed to his family above all else, John showed his love for his wife and four sons in palpable ways. He was present. He hugged and kissed and said I LOVE YOU a lot. In fact, there are many men today who have expressed that they, too. considered John Shenk as a father to them.

In addition to just being with others, he loved the outdoors and stood in awe of God’s creation. Fly fishing and skiing with family and friends were his passions.

For 16 years, he coached both AYSO soccer and Little League baseball teams in Menlo Park. Seeing a need, he launched a Sunday School program for Jr. High boys at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church.

He proudly served on the boards of NAIOP and Menlo College and and passionately as a Teaching Elder of Menlo Church. The informal men’s Bible study he helped to initiate has met every Friday morning for more than 30 years…a lasting testament to his love of God and his quest to share God’s message of grace with others.

John’s strong faith and knowledge of the many Biblical promises that speak of death and afterlife paved the way to his peaceful passing.

He is survived by his wife, Sheri Smith Shenk, his four sons, John (Stacey), Geoffrey (Vivianne), Andrew (Jillian) and Peter (Ashley), his nine grandchildren (Audrey, Mia, Reynolds, Ava, Anthony, Milla Marie, Robert, Victoria and Valentina), his sister Jody Petersen (Richard) and brother Robert (Mary).

The family is deeply grateful for the excellent care John received from Dr. Shane Dormady and all those at the El Camino Cancer Center, who made his cancer journey one filled with perfect care, compassion and laughter, We especially value the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from so many friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts in John’s memory to the Bonnie Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (www.alcf.com) or to Oak Grove Christian Ministries, a newly founded group providing necessary support to fledgling local non-profits purposed to meet needs in the community. (P.O. Box 105, Menlo Park, CA 94026-0105)

Beyond financial donations, John will smile to see you love one another by performing an act of kindness, sharing a laugh, giving a hug, sending a note, or saying "I love you" to those who God brings to your mind.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Friday September 16, at 1 PM at Menlo Church, 950 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park.