Randal Ray Schaefer

Randal (Randy) Schaefer, 76, of Hardeeville, SC passed away peacefully on March 18, 2025. Randy was a loving husband, stepfather, grandfather, brother, and friend who touched the hearts of everyone who knew him.

Randy was a man who truly lived life to the fullest. He had a deep love for the outdoors and whether it was traveling, camping, hiking, fishing, golfing or the everyday tasking at home he found joy in the beauty of nature. One simple task at his home that comes to mind was making sure the birdfeeder always had plenty of seeds for the birds to enjoy.

His own little haven was his garage that provided many quiet hours to use his hands and mind to tinker with tools to transform used items into functioning pieces. His love for fixing things was unmatched, and his ability to repair almost anything made him a go-to person for family and friends alike.

Randy loved the quiet times on his porch swing with his wife, Cindy, morning and night with nature providing a soothing background as everyday worries melted away in the comfort of each other’s company.

Spending time with family was always his greatest joy. He cherished every moment with his wife, Cindy, and his stepchildren, Megan and husband Ryan Coker and Ryan and wife Jenny White. He was a proud grandfather to Kaley, Peyton, and Elle White, as well as Asher Hotze, and his face would light up at the mention of their names.

Randy always made himself available for the family whether it was a listening ear, providing advice, assisting with tasks, or consoling a crying child in his arms. Randy would drop everything for his family.

You see, Randy’s love for family was planted with his relationships with his own siblings: He was deeply connected to his siblings, Brothers: Chuck and wife Pam, Tom and wife Tillie, Marvin and wife Amy, Danny and wife Jeanettea, Sam and wife Tracy, Hilary and his love Karen. Along with Sisters: Darlene and husband Bill, Doris and husband Mark. Such love for the family that quickly grew to include many nieces, nephews, cousins, & friends. Too numerous to keep an adequate count.

It’s a heartfelt reminder of how deeply family traditions rooted Randy. His annual return - to both the festive Schaefer Family Christmas Party and the cherished Father’s Day Campout in Indiana kept him connected to his family- such a strong bond that lasted throughout his entire life. The warmth, kindness, and laughter echoed throughout the group.

Randy demonstrated a strong work ethic in his role as an engineer. He left his birthplace in St. Meinrad, IN and moved to Lynchburg, Va where he continued his engineering work in the early 1970s until he retired with Framatome in 2011.

He consistently went above and beyond to ensure projects were completed with precision and dedication.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, but his memory will live on in the hearts of his loved ones forever. Randy’s legacy is one of love, adventure, hard work and the importance of family and friends.

A celebration of Randy’s life will be held on Saturday, April 26th, at 11 a.m. at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory in Lynchburg, VA, followed by a service at Virginia Memorial Park. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. The family welcomes all who knew him to join them in honoring his memory.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.