Eric Schenker

Dr. Eric Schenker died peacefully in his sleep on September 5th, 2026 at the age of 95. To many Eric was known as “The Dean,” serving as the dean of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (UWM) business school from 1976 to 1997. During that time, he worked closely with the Milwaukee business community to grow the school into a top ranked metropolitan business school of national distinction. He often said that helping his students was his greatest reward.

He was born in Vienna, Austria to Olga (Strauss) and Adolf Schenker. In 1939, Olga and Adolph made the difficult decision to leave Austria and immigrate to the United States

Eric and his brother, Henry went to elementary and high school in Brooklyn, New York. In their free time they enjoyed playing stickball and going places like Coney Island. He graduated from the City College of New York in 1952 and then served in the U.S. Army as part of the Transportation Corps where he was able to put his organizational skills to good service. After the army, he continued his education and earned a Master’s degree from University of Tennessee and a Ph. D. from the University of Florida in transportation economics. Following a short stint at Michigan State University, Eric moved to Milwaukee and accepted a professor position at UWM in 1959.

Eric met Virginia, the love of his life, in Milwaukee. They married on April 14, 1963. They spent their lives together in Wisconsin, had three sons and enjoyed many family vacations. As a father he taught the importance of hard work, education and family.

He was preceded in death by his wife Virginia (Wick) Schenker and brother Henry Schenker. He is survived by his three sons and five grandchildren: David (wife Carol, children Alyssa, Cassie and Nolan), Robert (partner Doug Mandel) and Richard (wife McKinsey, children Tanna and Zoe). There will be no formal memorial ceremony per his wishes. He lived an extraordinary life and will be dearly missed.