Francis C. Schaffer

Colonel Francis
Calmes Schaffer,
U.S. Air Force
(Retired)
Colonel Francis C. Schaffer, born 7 July 1924, in Vicksburg, Mississippi passed away on 19 August 2012.
Colonel Schaffer is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Alejandrina Diaz-Lobo Schaffer, his brother Lucien Cason Schaffer and wife, Frances, and his children Verien Schaffer, Marian Schaffer, George M. Schaffer and wife Elisa Chwoschtschinsky, M.D., Marla Schaffer Cobb and husband, Jim Cobb; and Francis Calmes Schaffer, Jr. and wife, Melody Schaffer. He is also survived by grandchildren: Kevin Murphy, Meghan Hemingway and husband, Johnny Hemingway, Lindsey Golden and husband, Rory Golden; Adam Whitaker, Schaffer and Dallas Cobb, Lucy and Cason Schaffer, and a great granddaughter, Ever Golden. The Colonel is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucie Cason Schaffer of Independence, Louisiana and George Michael Schaffer, Sr. of Vicksburg, Mississippi, his sisters Mary E. Schaffer Salmon Riddle, Christina E. Schaffer McLain, Eleanor B. Schaffer, brothers George Michael Schaffer, Jr. and William Schaffer all of Vicksburg, Mississippi and his grandson James Burke Cobb of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Colonel Schaffer, a decorated veteran having served in WWII and the Korean Conflict, lived a full and adventurous life. He initially enlisted in the US Army Air Forces in 1942 and was sent to Europe, arriving in October 1944. 1st Lieutenant Schaffer was assigned to the 757th Bomb Squadron, 459th Bomb Group and served as navigator on the B-24 Liberator Bomber. While the average life expectancy of a Bomber Crewman was 14 missions, the Colonel survived 35 combat missions before returning stateside. He served as lead navigator on 22 of 35 missions either as squadron, group or wing lead. His major Battles and Campaigns included Rhineland, the PO Valley, North Apennines, Central Europe and the Balkans which occurred in Austria, Germany, Italy, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia (names in 1944 A.D.).
Post WWII, his military career included a recall to service with the 301st wing, Strategic Air Command of the U.S. Air Force for the Korean Conflict, where he again served as navigator on both the B-29 and B-50 Bombers. He was stationed at Eielson AFB (Mile 26 Field), Fairbanks, Alaska from which he flew reconnaissance flights. His tour was extended to allow low flying over the North Pole with Dr. Carver of the University of Michigan who was developing a grid system of navigation later used in commercial polar flights. Later Tours of Duty included Lakenheath, England and Sidi Slimane Airbase, Morocco. Upon separation from active duty with the Air Force, he continued his call to duty and service by transferring to the U.S. Air Force Reserve. In the Air Force Reserve, he served as Commanding Officer of all Reserve General Training Units in Louisiana and eventually, with the Rank of Colonel, retired from service to the country he loved in 1978.
Colonel Schaffer's military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Presidential Citation, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Unit Citation, three Theatre of Operations ribbons and six Campaign Ribbons with 5 Battle Stars.
A 1951 Chemical Engineering graduate of Louisiana State University (LSU), a registered Professional Engineer, President of the Schaffer Global Group and its predecessor engineering companies, Col. Schaffer became world renowned in the Sugar Industry and related agriculture business sectors. At LSU he worked at the Audubon Sugar Institute developing new equipment and engineering standards. It was there that he met his first business partner, the esteemed professor, Dr. Arthur G. Keller, who later invited him to form a business together, Arthur G. Keller and Associates & Engineering. During that time, LSU was a mecca for students for learning sugar engineering. The company became one of the most successful technology transfer companies to originate out of LSU. Colonel Schaffer held or jointly held 14 patents, including for the Vertical Diffuser. His contributions to the industry are recognized in over 60 countries and resulted in awards from the U.S. Department of State and the Corporate Council on Africa in recognition of corporate citizenship in Africa, innovation and exemplary international business practices. Notable sugar development and engineering projects included Kenana Sugar, the world's largest integrated sugar mill, located in the Sudan, Rio Grande Valley Sugar Cane Grower's Cooperative, the only sugar mill in Texas, and he was involved with the initial or expansion design engineering of most of sugar mills in Florida. Together with Dr. Keller he provided consulting to the Louisiana sugar industry which continues through the work of Dr. Harold Birkett. Schaffer was a partner in SS&S Fabricators (Steel) of Addis, Louisiana for over 50 years and was involved with Mr. Sevin in expanding it to one of the largest in Louisiana. At the time of his passing he was a member of the Board of Directors of the World Trade Center of New Orleans (25 years). His service to the International Business Community and Sugar Industry is recognized by his memberships in the Corporate Council on Africa, American Society of Agricultural Consultants, and many others.
The Schaffer family are blessed to have shared in his life and watched in admiration as he touched so many lives in corners of the world unknown to most. Friends and associates describe him as kind, quiet, brilliant, humble, fair, peaceful, and hardworking. An Outstanding loving father to his family, a resolute friend and generous employer, he stressed the importance of tolerance for and love of all people. He especially loved the people of the Sudan and he worked for ethical trade and harmony between America and the Third World. The Schaffer Family is very grateful and proud of all of his Partners and employees that made possible his many successes in life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Living4Burke Foundation at Whitney Bank, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The foundation was initiated by Col. Schaffer in honor of his grandson James Burke Cobb to provide screening for the detection of cardiac defects in student athletes. Donations can also be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 127, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821.
Christian services were held on 22 August 2012 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and included Military honor guard with 21 gun salute at Oak Lane Memorial Park Cemetery, LA Hwy 73 in Prairieville, LA.
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Pallbearers were Eric Breaux, Jason Breaux, Robert Brown, James Cobb, Marlan Mitch, Kevin Murphy, George Schaffer, Francis Calmes Schaffer, Jr. and Adam Whitaker. Honorary Pallbearers were Dr. Harold Birkett, Robert Miller, Tillman Huckeba, Jose Spinoso, Maryoud Elsunni, Ross Campesi and Floyd Barbay.
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