Obituary of David Schlink

David Val Schlink passed away on March 31, 2023 from complications after a 7 year long battle with Parkinson’s.  He clung fiercely to life even until his very last breath.

David was born in Peoria, IL and went to Bergen High School, attended St. Louis University and graduated from the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana.

From there he pursued his passion for photography and spent 6 years in Germany traveling, photographing and making friends.  In May 1980 upon his return, he met his wife Mary at Keeble & Shuchat Photography in Palo Alto CA and they were married in September 1981.  Together they lived in Los Angeles CA, Westwood NJ, Hannibal MO, Randolph NJ, Basel Switzerland and back to Randolph NJ.  During that time, he worked for Leica Camera in Rockleigh NJ as Director of Professional Programs and as a self-employed photographer after that.

David was a prolific and talented photographer and leaves an archive legacy of 100k+ photographs.  David and Mary lived a life filled with joy, family and friends around the world but one that was also marked by tragedy and loss fulfilling their vows of “for better or worse” and “in sickness and health.”  He is well known by his friends for pithy quotes, including “life is not for the faint of heart,” and “anything could happen” and whenever he and Mary were lost, he would say “this is just another adventure in a series of adventures.”

David was charming, witty, funny, creative, inclusive, a sharp dresser with an even sharper mind, a good man and generous friend.  A class act all around.

Our hearts are filled with relief that he is no longer suffering, but also deep sorrow at his absence from our lives.

David is survived by his wife of 41 years, Mary LeBlanc, their son, Christopher Schlink, sister Anne Farino, and brother Richard Schlink (Martha).

David also has 5 sisters-in-law:  Joan LeBlanc (Richard Lambie), Libby Armanino, Sue Cody (Tom), Teresa LeBlanc (Renee Robles), Barbara LeBlanc (Michael Bean); and 11 nieces and nephews:  Luke Schlink, Michael Schlink, Dan Farino, Julie Nguyen (Long), Dane Jones, Senalee Kapelevich (Andy), Annie Armanino, Molly Armanino, Sam Armanino, Monica Cody and Ben Cody (Ariel McGurty).

David was predeceased by his son, Nicholas Bridger Schlink who died of SIDS in 1993, his father, Valentine Louis Schlink in 1986, his mother, Mary Lou Schlink in 2009, and his brother-in-law Frank Farino in 2009.

Visitation Services will be held in Randolph, NJ on Monday, April 10th from 6-8 pm at the Tuttle Funeral Home (www.tuttlefh.com) at 272 State Route 10.

Interment will be held in Peoria, IL on Friday, April 14^th at 11 am at Resurrection Mausoleum & Cemetery (https://ccapeo.org/resurrection-mausoleum-cemetery) at 7519 N. Allen Rd.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to:  The Nicholas Bridger Schlink Fund, AYCO Charitable Foundation, PO Box 15203, Albany, NY  12212-5203