December 2, 2023
Schoen, John E.
John “Jack” Emerson Schoen, passed away on November 30 at the age of 91. He was married for 62 years to the love of his life, Carol Kramer Schoen, who passed away in 2020. He is survived by his two daughters, Jennifer Schoen and Hope Naples, his daughter and son in laws, Janet Bagley and Steve Naples, and his three grandchildren, Sean, Josh, and Kate Naples. In his long life, Jack lived in Queens, NY, where he was born, and moved to Westwood, NJ, Lexington, KY, and Eau Claire, WI, before coming to live in Dedham, MA in 2022. Growing up, Jack was active in the children’s choir, productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, attended and was a camp counselor at Blair, a church camp, and spent summers in Brattleboro, VT, feeding chickens and mucking out stalls. He also began his love of bike riding with a brief entry into bike racing. He served in the Coast Guard for 3 years as a radioman on a buoy tender stationed in Maine, Massachusetts, and Bermuda. After his service, Jack attended Brooklyn Polytechnic College (now NYU) where he received his degree in Physics. He went on, several years later, to receive his Masters in English Literature at Fairleigh Dickinson University, with the latter subject being much closer to his heart. He was an avid reader, and attended poetry-writing classes in his 70s and 80s, learning about and writing poetry. He used both his degrees in his profession as a technical writer and senior editor for RCA on semiconductors. At one time, he even had top secret clearance! Jack had a great love of the outdoors. He spent time leading bike groups from hostel to hostel as a young man, and into his 80s, riding and leading the UU church group in Eau Claire. While in NJ, he was part of the NY/NJ Trail Conference for many years, where he founded and lead an effort to maintain trails along the Hudson Highlands, chopping down blowdowns that blocked the trails or creating water bars to keep the trails from eroding. He was an avid hiker, loved to canoe, and took the family camping many times. He’d bring his guitar and lead in campfire songs for the family and for his Girl Scout troops, as both he and his wife, Carol, were Scout leaders. Throughout his life, Jack was a volunteer and activist, from his days in the Volunteer Ambulance Corp, to working for Republican candidates in NJ, then to the Democrats in Lexington and Eau Claire. He marched for gay rights and was a participating member of PFLAG. He worked as a book deliverer for the library bringing books to people who couldn’t get to the library themselves, and was an active member of the UU church in Paramus, NJ, Lexington and Eau Claire. Jack will be remembered for his quick and dry wit, his need to save all kinds of things for repurposing, and his love for his family. His immediate family will celebrate his life at a later date. Donations can be made in his honor to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Unitarian Universalist Church in Eau Claire, WI. Feel free to go for a walk in nature, a bike ride, or have a double-stuff Oreo to celebrate his life.
Comments(7)
I was so privileged to know Jack & Carol when they lived in N.J. He was an amazing man with a wonderful sense of humor. I honor him and all the great adventures. He truly made a difference to so many during his long life.
I was truly blessed to have been able to spend a lot of time with Jack at Oakwood Hills. He was so funny. When he left to go to Massachusetts it was a very sad day for us. We talked about him often. We had, as one of our activities a “Tell a Joke” session and no matter how bad the jokes were Jack always acknowledged the joke and tried to squeak out a laugh at the really bad ones. Sometimes he would analyze the joke as well. He was always one of my favorites. He will be missed, there is no doubt about it. R.I.P Jack. ❤️
I was so sorry to hear that Jack is gone from this world. He was a wonderful human and we have missed him at UUC Eau Claire. I sincerely hope he is with Carol now.
Julia
Dear Family of Jack E. Schoen,
What a wonderful photo of Jack! Often, I’d ask him, “Are you eating well & putting on weight?
I am so blessed to have welcomed Jack & Carol at their first mtg. at E.C. UUS. Little did I know how deep & strong our friendship would become then?. I had missed our Tues .visits we’d have on my back porch when he became unable to visit and the poetry we’d play off of each ohter as well humor he had. I learned so much about him, in reading his obituary & can say, “He was very modest re: all he accomplished in his long life. Also, I iknow he enjoyed the “Meet-up” I think he began at BAMS and missed so many peopl he got to know there. My son was sorry to hear re: Jack’s passing and commented, “He always wore a hat or cap.” My condolences go out to all of you. I think of him ad Carol -smiling & holding hands together.
We met Jack and Carol at UUC.
Such kind and gentle souls.
Sending condolences to all that his life touched.
It was always a joy to hear what Jack had written for the poetry group at UUC in Eau Claire. Then sometimes he would read to the whole congregation. He was unique!
I met Jack at the Eau Claire UU and soon after he became an integral member of the poetry group there. His humor, his poetry, and his dedication to the group contributed to its success and enjoyment. He kind of prided himself in not wanting to learn too much of the technicalities or tools of writing poetry, but did in spite of that. 🙂 It was a joy to see him read his poetry to the larger congregation too. I enjoyed our many conversations together. It was also a joy to know Carol and to see the two of them together. And now, they are together again.