Sgt. Major Ret. Joel R. Schenkelberger, "Schenk", 79, reported to a new Commander-in-Chief at 9:44am on Sunday, September 11, 2016. He was so happy to be able to spend his last months peacefully resting at home reading, doing his crossword puzzles and watching television. Joel was the son of Harlow and Muriel Grant Schenkelberger, both deceased. He was born on Cape Cod, MA in Harwich; later moving to Dennis, MA where he grew up. He graduated from Dennis Yarmouth Regional High School. Both before and after graduation he worked as a commercial fisherman. A major part of Joel's young years was spent hunting and fishing and roaming the sand dunes of Cape Cod. His fun loving, mischievous personality were evident at a young age and would prove to be the source of many happy, crazy stories to come.

Joel was married in 1963 to Betty Ann Young. He was a Vietnam veteran and served three tours there with the elite Delta Project. He was assigned to Special Forces Training Group in January 1963 and after a brief hiatus to Ft. Benning, GA where he worked as an instructor for the Ranger School, he remained in Special Forces until retirement. During this time, the most memorial assignment was to Detachment A in Berlin, Germany. He spent 4 years in Berlin as Team Sergeant to Team 1. He treasured time working with his team and built a close friendship with his team members. They became a part of his family and were told that his home was theirs and they were welcome anytime. Many close friendships and lots of memories were made during this special time in his career. Most of them are still in contact and he was always excited to hear from them. SF is a community unto itself and many treasured friendships were made throughout his 30 year career. He received numerous awards, citations and decorations.

He enjoyed skydiving and it was a big part of his life both on and off duty. He held a class D Expert Parachutist license and worked as both safety officer and instructor at the Ft. Devens Parachute Club and the Green Beret Parachute Club at Ft Bragg. During this time in his life, he spent most of his weekends on the drop zones.

He was assigned to Special Forces Schools when he retired in 1986. After retirement he worked with several security firms, one locally and as Safety Officer for an oil drilling company in Venezuela and lastly working with MVM as security officer on construction sites of US embassies in Belgium, Czech Republic, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. He retired for good in 1994 and finally became a full time husband for the first time in 31 years of marriage.

Joel is survived by his wife of 54 years, Betty; daughters Lynne Kauffman and husband Jerry of Virginia Beach VA, K.C. Messer of Virginia Beach VA and her fiancee, Peter Cook of Pembroke Pines FL; three grandchildren: Sara Kauffman, Kevin Kauffman and Lindsey Messer all of Virginia Beach VA; two sisters: Virginia Devine of Dennis MA, Lillian Webber of Eagle PA, a brother Frederick Schenkelberger of Dennis MA and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016 at 2PM. A reception and time of sharing will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to : The Green Beret Foundation at : www.greenberetfoundation.org or Green Beret Foundation, 14402 Blanco Rd, Suite 101, San Antonio, TX 78216.