Obituaries

Dr. Robert F. Schaefer, Sr.

Photo of Dr. Robert F. Schaefer, Sr. Photo of Dr. Robert F. Schaefer, Sr.
DR. ROBERT F. SCHAEFER, SR., of Little Rock, Ark., passed away on July 26, 2018 at the age of 92. He was born in Glen Carbon, Illinois on July 5, 1926 to Dr. George and Agnes Schaefer. He graduated from high school in Dexter, Mo., and started college at Marquette University at the age of 16. He attended medical school at St. Louis University and graduated in 1948 at the age 21. He began his internship at Fordham University in New York, N.Y., and continued residency at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Austria during the Korean War. He was awarded a letter of commendation from Queen Elizabeth for his bravery in rescuing British Soldiers from a fire at a hospital in Austria. After returning to the US, he completed a pathology residency in St. Louis. He began a long career as a pathologist within the Veterans Administration System in June 1956. While teaching residents in St. Louis, he met and later married Helen Santos M.D on Feb. 7, 1959. They moved to Little Rock, Ark., in 1960. Together they had five children: Robert Francis Jr., Helen Angie, George Valentine, John Paul, and Agnes Priscilla. Dr. Schaefer was a beloved physician and educator in the specialty of Pathology. He devoted 52 years of unparalleled service to the Veterans Administration during which time he also served as Chief of Pathology. He was a renowned educator as a Professor in Pathology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He retired at the age of 82 in November 30, 2008. He was a devoted Catholic, an original and longtime parishioner of Christ the King Church in Little Rock, Ark. He was passionate about his career in medicine and teaching medical students and residents. Later in life, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with his growing family. Other interests Robert enjoyed were flying his private plane, weekly visitations to the Eucharist Adoration Chapel at Christ the King Church, and listening to music. He also played the clarinet and harmonica. He is preceded in death by his parents: Dr. George and Agnes Schaefer, his brother George Schaefer and his sister-in-law Aida Schaefer. Robert is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dr. Helen Schaefer, his brother Reverend James Schaefer of Ozora, Mo., his sister in law Nonie San Pedro of Little Rock, Ark., and his brother and sister in law Robert and Lourdes Werner of Little Rock, Ark. He is also survived by his five children and their spouses: Dr. Robert Jr. and Lisa Schaefer of St. Louis, Mo., Helen Angie Elser of Little Rock, Ark., Dr. George and Alesia Schaefer of Rogers, Ark., John Paul and Linda Schaefer of Grapevine, Texas, and Agnes P. Condren of Maumelle, Ark. He is also survived by 26 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Visitation will be on Monday, July 30 at 6:00 pm with a rosary prayer starting at 7:00 pm at Christ the King Church at 4000 N. Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock. A funeral mass will be held also at Christ the King Church on Tuesday, July 31 at 10 am with his brother Reverend James Schaefer and his grandson, Reverend Stephen Elser officiating. Reception following the funeral mass. Entombment at Calvary Cemetery located at the corner of Wright Avenue and South Woodrow Street in Little Rock at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Christ the King School Endowment Fund and the Veterans Administration Department of Pathology in Little Rock.

Published July 29, 2018

Upcoming Events