Darren Schenck
January 9, 1972 - May 24, 2021
Darren Schenck passed away peacefully in Los Angeles in the presence of his wife, Michelle, and longtime caregiver, Camille, on May 24, 2021. He was 49. He fought ALS the same way he approached everything in life – with determination and persistence. He was determined to beat this cruel disease, enduring much more than most people would, holding out for a cure for seven long, difficult years.
Darren was born in Passaic, New Jersey, and raised in Middlesex, NJ, the second of three sons. He majored in journalism and psychology at Rutgers University, graduating with honors in 1994. He earned an M.S.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Pennsylvania in 1996. Determined to escape the harsh east coast winters and pursue his love of writing, while at the same time securing a good income, he moved to Los Angeles in 1996 and got his first job there as associate director, USC Development Communications, while attending USC’s Professional Writing Program, earning a M.P.W. degree in 2000.
A gifted writer and a perfectionist, Darren continued to excel in his career, next as senior associate director of communications, marketing and publications, USC Information Services, Office of Advancement. Then he led development and other communication efforts for the USC Price School of Public Policy and the USC Gould School of Law. He authored dozens of magazine articles, profiles on alumni and faculty, and managed the creation of many publications. Before going on long-term disability, he served as director of advancement communications at Caltech for nine months. His writing talents extended beyond the workplace. He wrote many stories, a screenplay, and drafted a novel.
Friends encouraged him to approach a woman (Michelle) at the Crush Bar in Hollywood in 2002, after mentioning that it was cool that she was dressed like Madonna from the 80’s, and Michelle, a devoted Bruin fan, continued talking to him, despite learning that he worked at USC. It wasn’t long before Michelle was touched by Darren’s kindness and sensitivity, and impressed with his creativity, intelligence, and sense of humor. They discovered they had many things in common – an appreciation of great writers, films, and wine, and a love of travelling and cats. Michelle turned Darren on to hustle dancing and sparked a passion in him for attending plays. After dating for three years, they were married in 2005. They travelled to the east coast, Europe, and Hawaii, and made repeated trips to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Palm Springs.
Darren was an avid reader, politically savvy, and for as long as he was able to, stayed physically fit by playing squash and working out with kettlebells. He wasn’t one to boast, but he was proud of maintaining the same weight at age 42 as he was in high school, despite imbibing in many craft beers. And if you needed a review of a craft beer, he was your guy. Always up for a good laugh, he watched many episodes of “Impractical Jokers,” and more frequently when humor was especially therapeutic. He enjoyed watching his favorite sports teams – the Dodgers and Philadelphia Eagles. And anything related to Spiderman always piqued his interest.
He is predeceased by his parents, William Howard Schenck and Cherie Elaine Schenck. He is survived by his wife, Michelle McConnell, his two brothers, William H. Schenck, and his wife, Shannon and their children, Evelina and William, of Macungie, Pennsylvania, and Garrick, of Asheville, North Carolina. And four beloved cats.
For everyone who knew Darren, their hearts are aching now. While we’re relieved that he is no longer suffering, he was too young to leave us. He had so much more to offer. Until we meet again, enjoy your new life, D., Daz, T.rex, and Magnus.
If you wish, please send donations to the ALS Therapy Development Institute, in memory of Darren Schenck, at ALS.net.