Henryk Schab

Our beloved husband and father, Henryk Schab passed away at his home on April 21, 2024. He was born in 1944 in Smigno, Poland to Jan & Maria. At 17, he left the farmlands of Smigno and moved to Jaworzno to attend a coal mining technical institute while working in a coal mine. He became a mine electrician. He had a brilliant engineering mind and was recognized for his innovations in coal mining systems. Henryk married Slava and together they raised three children. While working in the mine, Henryk was highly respected in the community for his skills and for his active participation in the Solidarity movement which is widely recognized as having played a central role in the end of communist rule in Poland. In 1980 he joined the Solidarity Union and was chosen by fellow miners to serve as local Union vice president. On December 13 1981, the Government of the then Polish People’s Republic declared Martial Law and with many other Union activists, Henryk was arrested and imprisoned for over a year without a trial. In 1983, after consulting with US diplomatic service, he was granted political asylum and moved his family to the USA as political refugees. With Slava and their three children, he put down roots in Utah and built a life. The family originally lived in Provo but in 1985, they achieved the American dream and purchased a home in West Jordan where he lived until his death. He worked as a master electrician until his retirement. Constantly improving their home with his innovative ideas and skills was his passion. There was nothing that he couldn’t fix. He’s survived by his wife Slava, sister Elzbieta, daughter Renata (Marek), sons Mark (Jolanta), Anam-Marcin (Matt), three grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. 

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Friday, May 3rd at the Memorial Mortuary located at 5850 South 900 East in Murray, Utah. Inurnment will follow after cremation at a later date at West Jordan City Cemetery 7925 South 1300 West, West Jordan, Utah.