Jock Charles Henry Schwank

Colonel Jock C. H. Schwank, USAF (Ret.) passed away on June 6, 2026 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson, Montana. He was 87 years old. Jock was born in Davenport, IA, on July 11, 1938, to Walter and Helen (Timmons) Schwank. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy, as a member of the second graduating class, in 1960. Following pilot training, he met the love of his life, Hope Reavely. After a whirlwind six-week courtship, they were married on November 5, 1961 and shared 56 wonderful years together until her passing in 2017.

Jock served his country for 25 years as an Air Force officer, flying C-130s and later Air Force rescue helicopters during the Vietnam War. He later returned to the Air Force Academy as a faculty member and became the first Air Force Academy graduate to command the Prep School. After retiring from the Air Force in 1985, he continued serving the Academy through the Association of Graduates and The Friends of the Air Force Academy Library.

Jock and Hope spent many summers with their young sons at their rustic, one-room cabin on Rock Creek in Montana, where he taught them to fish, build, work hard, and appreciate the outdoors. More importantly, he taught them how to be good men.

He is survived by his sons David (Jill) Schwank and Blake (Christie) Schwank; granddaughters Ashley (Spencer) Herron, Katrina (Chase) Hamill-Schwank, and Jessica Schwank; and his sister Jill (Grady) Howard. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Hope; his parents, Walter and Helen Schwank; and his sister, Jan Van Slyke.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a non-profit of your choice or to the Air Force Academy Foundation, 3116 Academy Dr, Unit 200, USAFA, CO 80840-4403.

Services and interment with full military honors will be held on August 4, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, 3024 Parade Loop Road, with a reception following at the Eisenhower Golf Club.