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Charles Schaeffer Obituary

SCHAEFFER JR., CHARLES EDWARD - April 19, 1941 to November 11, 2012

In the peacefulness of his home, Charles Edward Schaeffer, Jr. of Gambrills, MD passed away at the age of 72.

Charlie was born to Edith and Charles Schaeffer on April 19, 1941 in Baltimore, MD and grew up in the Highpoint area of Pasadena, MD. Charlie was married on August 7, 1965 to his late wife, JoAnn Blickenstaff Schaeffer, whom he met in college. They were a devoted couple for over 50 years. He was the older brother to, and survived by, Mandy Otwell, and her husband Neil, of Brooklyn Park, MD, his nephews, Matt Otwell of Westminster, MD, Tim Otwell of Fenwick Island, DE, and Mike Otwell of Brooklyn Park, MD. He is further survived by his cousins, Beverly Schaeffer and Jeanie Corkrin of Pasadena, MD. He graduated from Glen Burnie High in 1959 and received his undergraduate degree from Frostburg State University in 1965. He also attended the University of Maryland, College Park.

During his teen years, he was particularly fond of boating and fishing on Stoney Creek in Pasadena, MD. He worked summers as a junior mechanic for his father in the family garage on Duvall Hwy. in Pasadena, MD. After graduating from Frostburg, Charlie was a teacher at Severna Park High from 1965 to 1967. He then went on to work for Westinghouse (Northrop-Grumman) for more than 25 years as a Software Engineer.

Charlie was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed bow hunting, fishing, and especially waterfowl hunting on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

He is also survived by his daughter, Mary Jo Milligan, and son-in-law, Tim Milligan, of Pasadena, MD, son, Kurt Schaeffer, and daughter-in-law, Erin Schaeffer, of Smithsburg, MD, and his five beloved grandchildren - Sarah Milligan, Bradley Schaeffer, Amy Milligan, Zachary Schaeffer, and Connor Milligan.

In his later years, Charlie, known as "Pop" to his grandchildren, especially loved watching his granddaughters play field hockey and dancing in recitals, loved seeing his older two grandsons play lacrosse, and took pride in watching a love of nature blossom in his youngest grandson. Bi-annual vacations dating back to 1980 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina were some of the family's fondest memories.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Charlie also requested that the family hold a "barbecue" instead of any of the typical funeral arrangements. A very casual, come-as-you-are event to celebrate and honor his life is scheduled to take place from Noon to 2pm at his home in Gambrills, MD on Sunday, November 18, 2012. All of Charlie's family, friends, and former colleagues are welcome to attend. Please contact Mary Jo at [email protected] if you require further details.

Published by the Maryland Gazette on Nov. 14, 2012.
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Charlie was a sweet man and his wife adored him. No words can express the feelings of sorrow at his loss so soon after his JoAnn. They both will be missed by many.

Susan & Harvey Tate

November 14, 2012

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