Michael F. Schafer, M.D.

Im shocked I just heard on November 26 2023 of His passing my first visit with Dr Michael Shafer was in 1981 I was diagnosed with Scoliosis border line for Surgery at 13
I didn't want to wear the brace at that time in 1981 the brace could not be hidden with clothing I wanted to do the surgery the brace was from the neck to the hips made out of metal bars front & back and thick plastic it had to be on for 23 hours & one hour to take shower & exercise Dr. Michael did not teat me as a...

I am 62 years old and a partial paraplegic. In 1977 I had a severe spinal cord injury and Dr. Mike saved my life. I have always and forever will be grateful. Rest in peace my friend.

Dr. Schafer was a wonderful physician and a very caring, humble person. I feel fortunate to have known him. After seeing many other specialists I knew I would be in the best hands with him. I was in touch with him again through his nurse many years ago. I'm sure I wasn't the only one still in contact, and I'm glad he realized he was still being thought of and appreciated. I am quite grateful to him still. My best wishes to his family.

2 YEARS LATER......it’s still hard to believe that this wonderful man and doctor is no longer with us! May GOD continue to comfort and keep watch over the Schafer Family and bless you all with His good and perfect peace that surpasses all understanding. May it always bring you at least SOME comfort and peace to know that Dr. Schafer was a blessing to so many people. He was greatly loved and appreciated; and not just because he was an outstanding and excellent physician, but also because he...

Good friend and Medical School classmate from 1963-67. I consulted him for my disc space infection in 1983 and his advice was spot on! He advised patience and time!!
He called to check on my progress twice and was always concerned about my outcome. I practiced in Burlington, IA, and he was busy in Chicago but he sounded like we were still med school classmates. He never hesitated to reassure me. Had a great conversation with him at one reunion several years ago. His loss is felt by many....

I was deeply saddened to recently learn of the passing of Dr. Schafer. My wife and I think of him often. I met him on a recommendation to evaluate a problem with my back. He did everything he could to keep me out of the operating room. A true patient's doctor. I asked him when he might decide if I needed surgery and his answer was You will tell me. I am forever indebted to him for his fine work 10 years ago. I did get a good laugh out of him when I came for my first appointment for surgery...

I was not one of Michael's patients. In fact, I knew him long before he was a doctor. We met his first day on campus at the University of Iowa. His dad, Ham, was with him, and Ham taught me how to shine my shoes. We stated medical school together and spent the entire first year as "cadaver mates". We got to know each other well. When Michael returned from summer break he couldn't stop talking about this beautiful, fantastic, brilliant nurse he'd met at a hospital in Peoria. We all knew...

My deepest and most sincere condolences to Dr. Schafers family. Dr. Schafer was truly and literally a God-sent blessing & answer to prayer. I was blessed to have him for my Orthopedic Surgeon in 1987 for a two-stage spinal fusion and rods surgery, and continued to be blessed with his care for all of my Ortho/Spine issues and needs for the past 31 years. His treatment and care of my spinal condition and concerns always made me feel like I was very special and important to him and I have no...

Dr. Schafer was truly and literally a God-sent blessing & answer to prayer. He was my orthopedic surgeon in 1987 and continued to be my Ortho/Spine doctor for the past 31 years. His treatment and care of my spinal condition and concerns always made me feel like I was very special and important to him and I have no doubt that I received the same loving care & treatment that some of his celebrity patients would have received from him. I always knew I was receiving the very best care &...