Henry Charles Gschwend, Sr. — No. 8

Post date: Sep 12, 2014 3:40:26 AM

Henry Charles Gschwend Sr., 80, of Jonesboro died Monday, July 28, 2014, at St. Bernards Medical Center. He was one of the founding members of Iota Theta Zeta, at then-Arkansas State College, initiated as zeta number 8 into Lambda Chi Alpha.

Henry most definitely lived life to the fullest. With his wife Barbara at his side for 55 years, they were dedicated to their church, their God and their entire extended family. In his free time you could find Henry playing golf, attending Arkansas State University Red Wolves games, boating around Lake Thunderbird, cheering on his grandkids or skiing in the mountains. He was famous in his family for being extremely generous and always giving to those who had less than him. Words often used to describe Henry include faithful, loyal, fun, loving, hard-working and gracious.Born in Pocahontas, Henry moved to Jonesboro when he entered Arkansas State, where he graduated in 1959 with an accounting degree. A residential real estate developer, Henry was also a U.S. Army veteran. Henry was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, where he was active in the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Jonesboro Exchange Club, Jonesboro Country Club Men’s Golf Association and the ASU Red Wolves Club.Henry was past chairman of the Arkansas State Board of Higher Education, serving a 10-year term under both Gov. Dale Bumpers and Gov. Bill Clinton. Henry was also past chairman of the Jonesboro Homebuilders Association.One of 13 children, Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Matthias (Mott) and Martha Steimel Gschwend, as well as by seven sisters.Survivors include his wife, Barbara Haynes Gschwend; one daughter and son-in-law, Carla and Steve Carson of Jonesboro; two sons and daughters-in-law, Henry Charles Jr. “Chuck” and Lindy Gschwend of Jonesboro and Craig and Carol Gschwend of Little Rock; two brothers, James, Raymond and Tom Gschwend; two sisters, Frances Thorson and Freda Pope; and eight grandchildren: Blaine Carson, Abigail Gschwend, Elizabeth Gschwend, Erin Carson, Henry Charles “Charlie” Gschwend III, Caroline Gschwend, Billy Gschwend and Kate Gschwend.

A funeral mass was held July 31 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with the Rev. Jack Vu officiating. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery with military honors. Pallbearers were Jeff Puryear, Bobby Puryear, Frank Digaetano, Tom Schmidt, Don Throesch and Jim Murray.

For lasting memorials please consider St. Vincent DePaul Society, P.O. Box 1735, Jonesboro 72403, or Arkansas State Red Wolves Foundation, P.O. Box 2219, State University 72467