Robert Michael Schensted was born on October 7, 1964, in Cape Canaveral, Florida. He passed away in his beloved Seattle on March 22, 2025. Though he is gone, the memories he left behind remain very much alive for those who knew him.

Robert was the son of U.S. Air Force pilot Warren C. Schensted and newspaper journalist Elizabeth Ann Schensted. Due to his father's military career, Robert moved frequently during his childhood, living in Florida and Hawaii before settling in Washington State. He graduated from Mercer Island High School and went on to attend Gallaudet University, Orange Coast Community College, and Seattle Central Community College.

While living in Washington, D.C., Robert worked as an administrative aide for both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of State.

Although Robert's hearing was profoundly impaired as a result of the 1964 Rubella epidemic, he possessed a rich inner world that he shared with others through his art. He was a talented cartoonist who enjoyed creating comic books that featured his young nieces as heroines--imaginative and funny stories that reflected his love for them. He was also a skilled photographer who spent hours behind the camera lens and computer screen, creating stunning images of nature and urban architecture.

Despite his hearing loss, music was one of Robert's lifelong passions. He had an ear for rock and pop from the '60s, '70s, and '80s, and he enjoyed nearly everything as long as it had a strong beat. He was also a prolific reader with eclectic interests, especially drawn to classic science fiction. Robert's journals, poetry, and other writings reveal deep insight, sensitivity, and imagination, as well as a profound appreciation for family and close friends.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Warren and Elizabeth; his brother, Gregory; and his nephew, Patrick. He is survived by his brother David and sister-in-law Maria Elena of Centreville, Virginia; his nephews, Sebastian and Carlos; and his nieces, Coco, Sarah, and Elena.

Robert lived a thoughtful, creative, and deeply human life, full of art, music, and imagination. He faced challenges with strength and grace and gave those around him the gift of seeing the world through his eyes.
The American Red Cross helped Robert get back on his feet after an apartment fire, so any contributions made in his name would be deeply appreciated.