Dr. Richard Allen Schaffer

Dr. Richard Allen "Dick" Schaffer, 82, died December 13, 2024, at his home. He was born February 2, 1942, in Beloit, Kansas, He grew up in Beloit, KS with parents Loran and Marjorie (Allen) Schaffer, and Brother Robert "Bob."
Dick treasured his small-town childhood - with a big family and multitudes of friends. He described his parents as "two of the finest people that one could ever find in this tough world." Dick enjoyed playing, fishing, and hunting wild rabbit. Dick admitted to getting into trouble at St. John's Catholic school, particularly with the nuns who didn't see his "deviousness". Influential was Sister Margaret Therese, a science teacher who was willing to "do the right thing with students and be fair to all." Stamp collecting was a fun hobby until replaced by photography at age seven. His first job was working in his dad's shop "B&L Auto Service", for 25 cents a week. He devoured Zane Grey novels. He attended pharmacy school in Fort Hays. He met his future wife, Desi Bravo, a Filipina immigrant, while studying medicine at the University of Kansas. Married in 1968, Desi and Dick lived in the Kansas City area where he had a private medical practice. They had three children: Mark, Christy, and Greg. The couple was happy initially, but personality differences drove them apart, divorcing in 1982.
Returning to Lawrence (where Bob also lived), Dick worked at KU Student Health Center. He found love with Ann Winter in 1990. Ann was funny, generous, and enjoyed ceramics. "We could finish each other's sentences from the start." Ann had three children: Becky, John, and Robin. Becoming a traveling Doctor, "I found the little things the most rewarding and the occasional saving of lives in the ER a routine service." His long shifts were complemented with time to explore the state with photography. Dick and Ann married in 1994. He took a permanent position at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. The couple purchased a historic house in Claflin where they made art, planted countless trees, and held massive parties. Ann died in 2002. He later worked part time for Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington and enjoyed serving on the Claflin Library Board.
Dick valued his animal friends: dogs, miniature horses, cats, and wild turkeys. Parts of the property grew wild to encourage native species. Dick spent time with Paula Davis, a kindred spirit when it came to animals. They showed the "minis" at horse shows and otherwise laughed a lot while searching for antiques.
Dick was inspired by grand-daughters Amy who studied photography, and Tabitha who reminded him of Ann. Whether recently or long ago, drive up to "The Schaffers" property and you'd find Dick on the patio with a glass of iced tea, enjoying the beauty of the Kansas landscape. Finding peace in Claflin he said, "I returned to the person I originally was."
He is survived by his significant other, Paula Davis of Hoisington; his three children; Mark Schaffer of Kansas City, Missouri, Greg Schaffer and wife Lori of Seattle, Washington, and Christina Bravo of Shawnee; three grandchildren, Amy Schaffer, Mateo and Aurora Schaffer; stepson, John Winter of Lawrence; stepdaughters, Rebecca Spriggs of Olathe, and Robin Schneweis of Manhattan; step grandchildren, Patrick, Cole, & Tabitha; sister-in-law, Joyce Schaffer of Lawrence; nephew, Chad Schaffer of Olathe, and niece, Melanie Krumsick of Nebraska.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ann, and a brother, Robert Schaffer.
Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
A Memorial Service will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with Father Ben Dande presiding. Burial will follow at Bloomingdale Cemetery, rural Claflin, Kansas.
Memorials may be made to The Nature Conservancy or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Beloit, Kansas in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.