Name: Memorial service for WILLIAM G. SCHAEFER Jr.
Start: 2019-08-31T18:00:00.000Z
Location: Robert L. Smith Meeting Room at the Sidwell Friends School

SCHAEFER, William G. Jr. Age 77, died peacefully on June 11, 2019, from complications of dementia, in Brookline, Massachusetts, where he had resided since 2015, after four decades of living in Bethesda, Maryland. William "Bill" Schaefer was born in Kansas City, MO on June 16, 1941. In 1963 he graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in English and a fiancée, Sharon Saylor Schaefer, the love of his life and wife of 48 years. After Harvard Law School he worked for the law firm Sidley and Austin, and later for Dekalb AgResearch, Bechtel Corporation, and Treasure Chest Advertising. He volunteered for organizations supporting civil rights, care for the elderly and housing for the homeless during his career and into his retirement. This avid traveler, music aficionado, and lover of photography, architecture and poetry found his greatest pleasure being with people. Ever ready to smile and shake one's hand or offer a hug, this devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, will be deeply missed. His survivors include his children, Kristen Gallion Schaefer of Brookline, MA, and James Hamilton Schaefer of Lookout Mountain, TN and their spouses, Tad Schaefer Gallion and Jennifer Owen Schaefer; his four grandchildren, Emma and Claire Gallion, and Nathan and Eden Schaefer; his sister Sallie Ross and her family; and many wonderful friends. His wife Sharon and his infant grandson, William Robert, predeceased him. A memorial service will be held in the Robert L. Smith Meeting Room at the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC on August 31 at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bill's memory to the Employee Appreciation Fund at Goddard House, 165 Chestnut St., Brookline, MA 02445 https://www.goddardhouse.org/donate/

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Published by Boston Globe from Jun. 24 to Jun. 25, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM SCHAEFER

10 Entries

Denise Waugh

August 25, 2019

Dear Kristen,

I never met your father unfortunately but I know he must have been wonderful because you are so special and I bet at least some of that is from his influence. When our paths cross I always feel your warmth. I'm so sorry for your loss. Please take care of yourself!

Charlene Smith

August 24, 2019

My dear Kristen and Schaefer family
Very sorry to hear of your father's passing. He is now with your mother and son in heaven. Much Love to you and your family at this difficult time. Charlene & family

Janet Xiangjun Wang

August 24, 2019

Kristen and Jamie, my deepest condolences. Bill's kindest smiles shined on me, a girl coming to the US for the first time back in 1986. He is my forever American dad. I will miss him so much. My whole family will miss him.

katherine taylor

August 23, 2019

Thinking of you and your family Kristen. Peace and comfort to you all as you mourn the loss of your dad

Kathy Taylor

Judy Snyder Kastenberg

August 23, 2019

Dear Kristin and Jamie, many condolences. Even at 18 years old I appreciated your dad's warm gentle acceptance of our (probably excessively) confident visions of how to save the world. And didn't know he was a meditator. Much love.

Jane deLima Thomas

August 22, 2019

I only met Bill when he was ill and unable to interact much. What was noticeable was the fierce love of his daughter, Kristen. Every need was attended to, including homemade soup and fresh flowers. Such devotion is a hallmark of hers, certainly, but also signifies how important he was to her and what an impact he had. I felt lucky to meet him even that once and to see such love between them.

Robin Wagner

August 22, 2019

I will always cherish memories of Bill's smile and laughter. It was always always so much fun to have time with Bill to talk about real issues or just joke around. He brightened any room he entered. I miss him.

Mara Wai

August 22, 2019

Bill was so very beloved by so many among our meditation community.

I have heard Bill countless times during our meditation retreats share about the love for his wife and family. I remember him as a kind, generous, soulful and thoughtful man with spot on one liners.

Warmest healing wishes to his family and loved ones.

July 19, 2019

Bill's h.s. Classmates knew him as a friendly, contributing leader and miss him.
Sharon's classmates at KU miss them both and a few of uf us met James who hosted us in Lawrence KS a few years back. Ann Holmes

Jill Scharff

June 26, 2019

Bill and his late wife Sharon were neighbors, friends, and founding members of our monthly Washington book group, now past its 25-year anniversary. Bill was a committed reader with lively opinions. We will always be grateful for his vigorous leadership of the first strategic plan (2002) while serving on the board of the International Psychotherapy Institute, and his friendship over the years. We said goodbye when Bill moved up to Boston to live near Kristen, but we still think of him fondly when we are with his and our friends in the book group. David and I send our sympathy to Kristen and Jamie as they grieve the loss of a wonderful parent.
Jill and David Scharff

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