Gervase Schwenk 1923-2010

Jasper+Engines+%26+Transmissions+mourns+the+loss+of+its+longest-serving+Associate%2C+Gervase+Schwenk.++Gervase+succumbed+to+cancer+September+8th+at+the+age+of+86.%0D%0A%0D%0A%E2%80%9CNot+only+do+we+lose+a+good+friend%2C+unbelievable+businessman+and+chairman%2C+but+truly+a+gentle+giant+who+was+extremely+humble+and+cared+more+about+others+than+he+cared+about+himself%2C%E2%80%9D+says+JASPER+president+Doug+Bawel.++%E2%80%9His+lnMs+will+be+tough%2C+but+his+legacy+must+live+on.%E2%80%9D%0D%0A%0D%0AGervase%E2%80%99s+passing+closes+the+book+on+an+amazing+64-year+career+with+JASPER+dating+back+to+April+1st%2C+1946.++A+World+War+II+Veteran%2C+Gervase+was+hired+by+our+founders+Hilda+and+Alvin+C.+Ruxer+as+a+bookkeeper.++Though+Gervase+had+very+little+formal+higher+education%2C+he+soon+became+involved+in+all+phases+of+Jasper+Engines+%26+Transmissions%2C+serving+as+general+manager%2C+building-construction+planner%2C+and+equipment+designer.++A+self-taught+computer+programmer%2C+Gervase+has+written+company+computer+programs.+Among+other+activities%2C+he+managed+the+company%E2%80%99s+investments+and+finances.++Gervase+was+recently+recognized+as+in+the+Top+10%25+of+fund+managers+in+the+United+States.%0D%0A%0D%0AFriends+remember+Gervase+as+a+man+who+loved+life.++This+was+reflected+by+his+hobbies+of+boating%2C+water+skiing%2C+jet+skiing%2C+bicycling%2C+motorcycling%2C+snow+skiing%2C+fishing%2C+RV%E2%80%99ing+and+Grand+Parenting.++He+had+a+well-earned+reputation+for+thriftiness.++A+co-worker+remembered+Gervase+as+being+the+first+on+the+ski+lift+in+the+morning%2C+and+the+last+to+leave+the+slopes+at+night+so+that+he+would+%E2%80%9Cget+his+money%E2%80%99s+worth%2C%E2%80%9D+even+though+as+a+senior+citizen+70%2B%2C+he+got+in+free.++It+was+that+same+thrift%2C+along+with+innovative+thinking%2C+that+made+Gervase+%E2%80%9Cthe+answer+man%2C%E2%80%9D+the+one+everyone+turned+to+when+there+was+a+problem.++He+is+remembered+as+an+Associate+who+implemented+Alvin+C.+Ruxer%E2%80%99s+business+ideas%2C+yet+remained+modest%2C+and+famously+downplayed+the+uniqueness+of+his+own+efforts+for+the+company.%0D%0A%0D%0A%E2%80%9CAlthough+we+all+have+our+special+memories%2C+and+I%E2%80%99m+sure+many+of+those+will+be+shared%2C+each+of+us+must+work+a+little+smarter+to+ensure+the+foundation+Gervase+has+laid+continues%2C%E2%80%9D+added+Bawel.%0D%0A%0D%0AGervase%E2%80%99s+skills+as+a+businessman%2C+and+his+love+of+community%2C+caused+many+organizations+in+Southern+Indiana+to+seek+his+counsel.++He+was+an+active+board+member+of+Memorial+Hospital+and+Health+Care+Center+in+Jasper%2C+and+on+the+Board+of+Catholic+Foundation+of+Southwestern+Indiana.++Gervase+previously+served+on+the+Vincennes+University+Foundation+Board%2C+The+Dubois+County+Community+Foundation+Board+for+10+years%2C+the+Precious+Blood+Capital+Campaign%2C+the+Sisters+of+Saint+Benedict+%28EAC+and+Investments+Committee%29%2C+the+Board+of+Directors+for+Fifth+Third+Bank+and+the+Saint+Meinrad+Archabbey+Endowment+Committee.++++%0D%0A%0D%0AGervase+was+the+recipient+of+the+President%E2%80%99s+Community+Excellence+Award+in+2009+by+the+Jasper+Chamber+of+Commerce%2C+which+pays+special+recognition+to+an+individual+who+has+done+an+outstanding+job+in+making+Jasper+a+better+place+to+live.++He+was+also+the+recipient+of+the+Boy+Scout+Distinguished+Service+Award+in+1995%2C+and+the+Brute+Society+Award+in+1992.%0D%0A%0D%0AWhen+considering+a+major+decision+for+the+company%2C+or+at+home%2C+Gervase%E2%80%99s+philosophy+was+%E2%80%9CLet%E2%80%99s+sleep+on+it%E2%80%9D.++Well+Gervase%2C+you+have+earned+a+much+deserved+rest.++Sleep+Well%2C+Good+Friend.%0D%0A