Bertram P Schafer

1940 - 2023

Bertram P. Schafer, 83, of Hayesville, passed away Thursday June 1, 2023. A musician and lifelong learner Bert was the first student enrolled at Saginaw Valley State College in 1965 and founded the SVSC Alumni Association. His band, The B Sharp Combo, recorded their first live concert album that same year. After receiving his degree Bert served as a staff member for State Senator Jerome T. Hart for two years. He then accepted a position with the Michigan State Public Services Commission where he served until his retirement in 1997.
Captain Bert Schafer loved sailing earning his U.S. Coast Guard 100 ton commercial Master Mariner license. A member of the Mackinac Island Yacht Club Bert piloted the Mackinac Island ferry and sailed all of the Great Lakes. He crossed the Pacific sailing to the Marshall islands as a volunteer crew member aboard the medical ship Canvasback.
In 1998 Bert traded sailing yachts for his land yacht. He spent the next decade living and traveling in his RV pursuing his new interests in wood working and carving. Attending the Marc Adams Woodworking School he was accepted as a Michael Fortune Fellow earning his Master Woodworker certification. His interest in wood crafts lead him to the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown N.C. He later made Brasstown his home and lived there until 2019 when he moved to neighboring Hayesville.
Trading in his wood chisels for paintbrushes Bert next turned his attention to canvas. With his characteristic verve he studied under such notable artists/instructors as Grace Hawkins and Pat Aube Gray. Bert worked in various forms and produced landscapes, still life's, quilt patterns and more. He became an accomplished artist in his own right with his works exhibited at the Morning Song Gallery.
He devoted 11 years of service to the children of Clay County as a Guardian Ad Litem. He was named GAL of the Year in 2014 and was known as Mr. GAL within the program. In addition to all the children for which he advocated he was also instrumental in training and mentoring new volunteer guardians. His devotion to the community led him to serve on the Clay County Health and Human Services Commission, the Hayesville Board of Adjustment and as President of his POA.
Born May 14, 1940 in Saginaw Mich, he was the son of John and Elizabeth Schafer. He is predeceased by his parents and his older brother, John Schafer. He is survived by his daughters; his sister, Mary Acton, of Chesterton, Ind.; his brother, Dennis Schafer, of Falls Church Va.; his sister-in-law, Grace Schafer, of Osprey, Fla., and eleven nieces and nephews.
Bert will be remembered as a fun, kind and loving brother, uncle, friend and a very generous tipper.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bert's memory to the Appalachian Angels of the 30th Judicial District, P.O. Box 442, Marble, NC, 28905.
A celebration of Bert's Life will be held from 2-5 p.m. Friday, June 30 at the Clay County Community Center, 25 Riverside Circle, Hayesville, N.C. 28904