Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1926
DIED
2016
Earl Schaefer Obituary
May 13, 1926 - May 25, 2016
High Point
Dr. Earl S. Schaefer, researcher, professor, husband and father, died after a year's illness, at Pennybyrn at Maryfield in Highpoint, North Carolina on May 25th, 2016 at the age of 90.
Earl is survived by his wife, Patricia (Petra) A. Schaefer of the home, his children Stephen (Steve) Schaefer of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Thomas (Tom) Schaefer of Hollywood, Maryland, Anne (Annie) Powell of Leesburg, Virginia and Cecilia (Celia) Schaefer of New York, New York, and his siblings, Maxine Selvage, Bernard (Chuck) Schaefer, Ramona (Mona) Zoeller and JoAnn Daugherty. Earl had survived his siblings, Jeanette Yates, Carl Schaefer, Juliet Schaefer, Irene Lamastus and Millie Bradley Ball.
Earl was born on May 13, 1926 in Adyeville, Indiana to Bernard and Emma Schaefer. He served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1945 and graduated from Purdue University in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science with Distinction. He earned his MA and PhD in Psychology from Catholic University in 1951 and 1954. Earl worked at the National Institute of Mental Health as a Research Psychologist until 1971, and then until 1991 as a Professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in the School of Public Health, Department of Maternal and Child Health conducting research in Infant and Early Childhood Education. His research yielded approximately 3000 citations in the Social Sciences Citation Index.
Earl married the enduring love and joy of his life, Patricia Anne Coyle, of Rochester, Michigan in 1956. This year would have marked their 60th anniversary.
Earl was a generous supporter of charities including Catholic Relief Services, Common Cause and Bread for the World. Throughout his life, Earl was a passionate advocate of the importance of family. He was a spirited and vocal proponent of the philosophy of mankind's shared responsibility to and for one another.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Condolences can be sent to earls [email protected].
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Pennybyrn for their care and dedication.
Earl is remembered with love.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Earl Schaefer
How you can show support
Notify Me
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in Earl Schaefer's name
Memorial Events
for Earl Schaefer
How to support Earl's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Earl Schaefer's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
