Schaefer, Ronald Harvey
MADISON - The Schaefer family, Cynthia, Eric and Alexandra, sadly announce the death of Ronald Harvey Schaefer, age 82, on July 20, 2021. He was born on June 2, 1939, to Harvey and Lorraine Schaefer in Milwaukee, Wis. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a bachelor's degree. His two master's degrees in fine arts were earned at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Ron had a long and successful career as a fine arts professor and department chairman at the University of North Dakota. He also taught printmaking in Provence, France, in the 1980s. He married Cynthia Bates in 1962. The couple was married for 58 years. They traveled extensively, visiting museums throughout the world.
Ron was part of a loving family. His children, Eric Schaefer and Alexandra Schaefer Karvala (Eric), along with their mother, cared for him during his final illness. His five grandchildren are Sydney, Jack and Savannah Schaefer and Reese and Vaughn Karvala. Although he was an only child, he was raised with three cousins, Linda Mutter, Cheryl Fischer and Diane Waite. He had one niece, Molly Evans, and two nephews, Kirk and Max Evans, all of whom live in the Washington, D.C., area.
Ron had many interests besides art, including being a passionate Green Bay Packers fan and an enthusiastic gardener. He loved animals and volunteered for the Dane County Humane Society. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and kindness.
Family and friends are invited to a casual gathering at his gravesite at Rock Lake Cemetery, Lake Mills, Wis., on Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. People are encouraged to share and talk about their relationship with Ron. Lunch will follow. Donations may be sent to the Agrace HospiceCare or the Dane County Humane Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
November 28, 2021
My condolences to Ron's family, I saw his name in the In Memoriam section of the UND Alumni Magazine tonight. Grad school brought me to Grand Forks, I was a student from 1980-1983. I remember Ron's pranks directed at Ellen Auyong and Jackie McElroy. Ron and Jackie's offices were on either side of the secretary's (Patty Roland's) office in the departmental office. Ron once super-glued EVERYTHING in place that was on Jackie's desk, it took her 2 or 3 days to clear and smooth off her desktop. Her response was to cement/affix Ron's desk and chair to the floor of his office so that there was only 5 or 6 inches of space between them. Patty and Jackie could hear Ron pounding his chair with some kind of mallet or hammer trying to dislodge them, never mentioning a word to anyone. Ron (along with Jackie, Brian, Paul, Anita, Ellen, Don, Stan, Katie, Frank, and John, helped by Gary and my fellow grad students) gave me the experience and opportunity to get an MFA and win a joyous career in art. He also gave me one of his"Migrant" prints. May this message comfort you and make you smile, and may God rest his soul.
Paige Windahl (Bryan)
August 6, 2021
Thinking of you all, know that he is remembered very fondly! His teaching was amazing!
Ron & Barbara Engle
August 2, 2021
In loving memory of Ron Schaefer.
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