Lt. Col. Virgil B. Schaffer

Virgil was born to Frank and Anna Schaffer in Carnegie, Pa. on September 27, 1935. He had two older sisters, Nancy and Joan. Virgil and family moved to Dearborn, Michigan (home of Henry Ford) where he graduated from Fordson High School in 1953.

While in high school, Virgil exhibited his athletic abilities in Swimming and Track, earning 5 "letters" in those sports. He was co-captain of Fordson's first-ever State Championship Team in Swimming. His scholastic efforts earned him membership in the National Honor Society and he was elected Senior Class President. Upon graduation, Virgil selected the University of Southern California over many others and entered USC with both athletic and scholastic scholarships.

At USC, Virgil earned All-American honors in swimming, was elected President of his Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, graduated in Aeronautical Engineering, and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the USAF. He was the first of his family to graduate college.

A year later, Virgil convinced Gerry Mills to marry him in January 1959. Shortly thereafter, Gerry accompanied Virgil to France. Marc Alan was born in 1960, Andrew Frank was born in 1962 and the Berlin Wall was erected. Virgil supported logistical arrangements for 5 airbases in northern France to receive fighter bombers arriving from the US. That was followed by his planning for pre-positioning foodstuffs for women and children along evacuation routes to the Channel.

Upon his return to the States, Virgil earned a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering at USC. His next assignment was the Maverick Weapon System office at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Matthew Glenn was born in 1966. Next, Virgil worked in a highly classified project office launching satellites from Vandenberg AFB.

Subsequently, Virgil was assigned to Marshall Space Flight Center as the AF representative for Shuttle Activities on the West Coast. His family moved to Huntsville in 1974 from Palos Verdes, Ca. for "only" 2 years. Virgil retired from the AF in 1980 and went to work for Rockwell on the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, again retiring in 1998.

Virgil had wide interests, a facility for initiating conversations which could turn "heated," a ready laugh and smile for most. Virgil enjoyed music, wine and single-malt scotch. He and Gerry enjoyed Square Dancing and travel. Virgil was known to have said he enjoyed Golf so he could get to the 19th hole. He and Gerry were active in Holy Spirit Catholic Church maintenance work, Picnic organization, Sedar meal planning, and mini parish initiation, among other things.

After fully retiring, Virgil discovered a penchant for art and became an ardent collector of exotic art types, including: Russian miniature lacquer boxes/eggs, Jade, Amber, Mammoth tusk carvings and First American articles.

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents and sisters. He expected a military burial site.

Arrangements to be announced.