Randolph Lee Schaffer M.D.

RANDOLPH LEE SCHAFFER, M.D., died on Monday, September 27, 2004, at age 86. "Dr. Randy," as he was affectionately known, practiced pediatrics in Houston from 1948 until 2000. He was the first pediatrician in Houston to open his waiting room to people of all races. He cared for thousands of children and was a friend to all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Myrna Bregman Schaffer; his children, Randy and Mollie Schaffer, Don and Barbie Schaffer, Kent Schaffer, Sandi Schaffer, Caroline and Stephen Esses and Lynne Lande and Anita Sever; his grandchildren, Randy III and Cristina, Josh, Jamie, Mackenzie, Madison, Max, Zachary and Marshall Schaffer, Jordan Minchen, and Marlee, Dane, and Andrew Esses; his great-granddaughter, Sabina Schaffer; his brother, Eli Schaffer and wife Phyllis; his sister-in-law Gladys Schaffer; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Isidore and Anna Schaffer, and his brother, Henry Schaffer. Dr. Schaffer was born in Needville, Texas, on June 24, 1918. He was the spelling bee champion of Fort Bend County and the Valedictorian of his graduating class at Rosenberg High School. He received a B.S. from Rice Institute in 1938 and an M.D. from the University of Texas in 1942, where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Fraternity and was a member of Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity. He was an intern at Cincinnati General Hospital from 1942-43. He served in the United States Army Medical Corps in the European Theater of Operations from 1943-46, receiving an honorable discharge as a Captain. He was a resident at John Sealy Hospital in Galveston from 1946-48. Dr. Schaffer was a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas School of Medicine; Chief of the General Medicine Service at Texas Children's Hospital (1970-92); Chief of the Newborn-Premature Service at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital (1970-92); and Chairman of the Credentials Committee at Texas Children's and St. Luke's (1975-2000). He was also on the Staff at Methodist, Hermann, Park Plaza, and Women's' Hospitals. He was a member of the American Board of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Texas Medical Association, Texas Pediatric Society, Harris County Medical Society, and Houston Pediatric Society (President in 1957). He was a life long member of Congregation Beth Israel and was active in the Alumni Associations of Rice and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. The family extends its gratitude to Dr. Kim Bloom, one on the "Boys of Maroneal," who provided Dr. Schaffer with excellent medical care, and to his devoted caregivers, Elvia Borjas, Alfreda Ketchum, Edith Abdul-Haqq and Ophelia Munoz. Funeral services will be held at two o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 in the main Sanctuary of Congregation Beth Israel, 6500 North Braeswood with Rabbi Samuel E. Karff and Rabbi David Lyon officiating. Internment will follow at Beth Israel Memorial Garden, 1101 Antoine. The honorary pallbearers are Dr. Barry Goodfriend, Norris Goodfriend, Dr. Louis Green, Dr. David Kaminsky, Jay Marks, Ralph Minchen, Milton Robinowitz, Dr. Mayo Stark, David Toomim and Dr. Milton Wagner. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Texas Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 300630, MC 4-4483, Houston, Texas 77230 or to a charity of choice.