Obituary of Garet Schenker

Garet Robert Schenker, 20, of Boalsburg, PA died in Geisinger Medical Center on Sunday, April 10th after 7 days on life support following a seizure. He was born in Boalsburg on June 9th, 1995, and is survived by his parents Guy and Lisa Schenker, his sister Morgan, and his niece Bryannah. Garet attended State College High School and Bloomsburg University where he was a Finance major. Every day of his tragically short life Garet's radiant spirit shone on all who knew him. Garet possessed an extraordinary devotion to family. Most particularly, he was determined to be the adult male figure in his niece's life. In the Schenker family tradition, Garet strove for excellence in all he did. Even when quite young, he achieved acclaim as the "Math Whiz" at his school, and was awarded solos with the Mount Nittany Children's Choir. But Garet's quest for excellence was most exemplified by his athletic pursuits. In baseball he was the shortstop and relief pitcher for his Little League team that made it all the way to the State semi-finals. Basketball, however, was Garet's greatest passion. At "hoops" camps all over the State he dazzled college coaches and scouts, winning countless individual and team championships even while being moved up to play in age groups a year or two older. One professional basketball player who coached Garet at age 9 claimed Garet's skills were 5 years ahead of any boy he had ever coached. Only the unexpected onset of a metabolic disorder kept Garet from excelling at the high school and college levels. More notably, even though Garet's skills were extraordinary, they were only secondary to his joy at play. To paraphrase the remarks of a close family friend, "Garet's exuberance touched us all and provided me a lifetime of memories and a fondness for basketball I never knew before." His boyhood behind him, Garet had his sights set on excellence as a Certified Financial Planner, "beating Wall Street at its own game." One of his old basketball buddies comments, "There was no doubt in my mind Garet was going to be immensely successful." Garet assured his mother that her retirement plan would be in good hands under his management. He is gone, but Garet's animated spirit will be with us always. Friends will be received at the Koch Funeral Home at 2401 S. Atherton in State College, PA on Sunday, April 17, 2016 from 4 pm until 7 pm and on Monday, April 18, 2016 from 10 am until 11 am. A funeral service will follow in the funeral home on Monday at 11 am with Pastor Bernard Carpenter officiating. Burial will be in the Boalsburg Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Gift of Life Transplant Foundation at www.donors1.org Online condolences and signing of the guestbook may be made at www.kochfuneralhome.com