Forrest Schaeffer

Dr. Forrest R. Schaeffer, 88, Kennett Square, husband of the late Cortney Bryan Schaeffer, and son of the late Nicholas L. Schaeffer, D.V.M., and Anna Ricken-bach, died on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010.

A native of Berks County, he was born in Blandon on Oct. 17, 1921.

He graduated from Ontelaunee High School in Leesport and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree from Kutztown University, a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University and the Doctorate in Educational Administration from Temple University.

He began his professional career as a history teacher at the West Reading High School. He was the high school principal and retired as superintendent of the Kennett Consolidated School District in January 1980. He then served as Adjunct Professor of Educational Administration at Temple University from 1980-1981.

For a period of ten years, he was a member of the Legislative Committee of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators. During that time, he chaired the committee's task force on recodification of the Pennsylvania school code and chaired the committee's task force on finance. He also served as chairman of the legislative committee.

He was associated with the schools of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for more than three decades.

He served in the U.S. Armed Forces for three years during World War II, assigned to the 64th Engineer Battalion in the Pacific Theatre of Operations and was honorably discharged as a master sergeant. While in Guam, his unit was attached to CINCPAC under the command of Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz.

He was a member of the Delaware State Society of the Cincinnati; the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution; the Pennsylvania Society of the War of 1812, serving as past president; the Ellis Camp No. 9 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, serving as past commander; the Merion Post 545 American Legion; the Veteran Guard 3rd Regiment Infantry NGP; the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, Philadelphia Priory; the Historical Society of Berks County; and the Episcopal Church of the Advent, Kennett Square.

He served 12 years as the secretary general of the General Society of the War of 1812. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the SICO Foundation in Mount Joy, Pa., and served on its public relations committee and as chairman of the scholarship committee.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathy S. Walker, wife of Michael R. Walker; his grandson, Forrest Sean Walker, and his wife, Wendy; his granddaughter, Cortney Walker Rohr, and her husband, Alex; two great-granddaughters, Whitney Schaeffer Walker and Carolyn Grace Walker; and by his sister-in-law, Beverly Deck.

He was predeceased by his wife, Cortney Bryan Schaeffer, and his brother, Benton R. Schaeffer.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 10, 2010, at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, 401 N. Union St., Kennett Square, PA 19348. Family and friends may visit with the family from 8 to 9:30 a.m. before the service at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc., 250 W. State St. Kennett Square. Interment with full military honors will be held in Union Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Forrest R. Schaeffer Scholarship, C/O Kennett Education Foundation, P.O. Box 849, Kennett Square, PA, 19348.

To send an online condolence please visit www.grieco-cares.com.