LAWRENCE ALDER SCHAFER

1920 - 2014

Schafer, Lawrence Alder

Age 93, died peacefully at his home on 1/18/2014, with family at his side. Larry was born in Iowa City, Iowa in 1920 and later moved to Hartford with his family. He graduated from the Loomis Institute in Windsor and later Yale University where he received a BS degree in Chemistry. Larry served in the Army during World War II. He repaired central control systems on bombers in the Pacific Theater. After the war, Larry earned an MS degree in Electrical Engineering from RPI. Larry worked as an engineer in many industries, including chemical and aviation, often as a contractor focused on control systems. Larry married Alice Plumbridge, deceased, and had two children. Larry later married Jean Rawlinson Hugh, deceased, and acquired three step children. Family and friends have many good memories of Larry during visits to his home and his two favorite vacation spots, Lake Willoughby in Vermont and Twitchell Pond in Maine. In Larry's final years grandchild Ryan and Shondora moved in with Larry to help with his care, allowing Larry to stay in his house and share the community, church and home that Larry loved so much. Larry had a keen intellect and a wide range of interests. He was practically unbeatable in Scrabble and quickly solved crossword puzzles. He enjoyed basic programming as a hobby, making his various Commodore computers perform interesting calculations. Larry liked to read and had a great memory, he would often entertain the family with an on-topic lyric, quote or poem. Anyone who has seen Larry's pictures can testify to his photography skills. Larry's enjoyment of good music was obvious, the family would often get enthusiastic listening recommendations. Larry was active in his church and community. For many years he helped maintain the steeple clock system at Eliot Church. Larry worked many hours with various organizations that were focused on water and waste-water for Newton and greater Boston. He volunteered for Charles River cleanup activities. Larry is predeceased by his son George and brother Charles Schafer. Larry is survived by a sister, Gretchen Schafer Skelley; daughter, Leslie Schafer; three step children, Grayson, David and Robert Hugh; grandchildren Bailey, Ryan and Justin Post, Michele Roman and Scott Schafer, Katherine and Kevin Hugh; many great grandchildren, nephews and nieces. A service to celebrate Larry's life will be held on Saturday, 1/25/14, at 1:00 PM at Eliot Church in Newton. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Larry's name should be made to Eliot Church.