Robert Schaefer

Robert W. (Bob) Schaefer, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, August 15, 2016 in Cocoa Beach, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Leo and Irma Schaefer, and his sister and brothers: Mary (Frank) Barbee, Leo (Janet), James (Nancy) and Dr. Joseph (Judith). Bob lived the majority of his life in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Bob leaves behind his wife, Sheryle Lee, of Cocoa Beach, FL. He is survived by his six children and seventeen grandchildren: Steve (Pam) Schaefer of Mequon, WI, children Kevin and Tim (Leticia); Dr. Brian (Sue) Schaefer of De Pere, WI, children Megan and Madeline; Tina (Don) Oros of Naperville, IL, children Nick and Jack; Lisa (Jamie) Haas of Overland Park, KS, children Alex, Will, and Emily; Cathy (Lee) Reuter of Middleton, WI, children Ellis, Tom, and Maggie; and Pam (Mike) Fitzgerald of Winnetka, IL, children Mary Grace, Aidan, Grant, Gillian and Audrey. He is also survived by Sally Eckhardt Schaefer, of Green Bay, the mother of his children. Born on September 14, 1931 in Salina, Kansas, he graduated from Sacred Heart High School (1949), the University of Notre Dame (1953) and the University of Kansas Law School (1956). Upon graduation, Bob moved to Green Bay to join the law firm of Welsh, Trowbridge, Bills, Planert and Gould. Bob advanced to become a named partner and the firm’s name was changed to Trowbridge, Planert Schaefer. Bob was very active in community affairs and charitable organizations. He served as President of the University Village Housing at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay which was responsible for building privately financed dormitories on the campus. For his efforts, he was given the Chancellor's Award and a dormitory was named in his honor. In Green Bay, he had been a member of Village of Allouez Zoning Board and Board of Adjustment; Brown County Planning Commission, where he served as Chairman for a number of years; Brown County School Committee (Chairman) and Brown County Board of Adjustment (Chairman). Bob had been active in the Easter Seals Society having served as President of the Wisconsin State Chapter, and as a member of the National Easter Seals Board of Directors where he was Secretary and Chairman of the National Telethon Committee. He was also a member of the National Board of Directors (Secretary) of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (a genealogy organization). Bob was also a member of several Boards of Directors for local corporations. In Cocoa Beach, Bob was involved with the Cocoa Beach Power Squadron for twenty years, including serving as a Bridge Officer from 2002 to 2004. He was also a member of the Cocoa Beach Planning Board for nine years. He enjoyed sailing with his family and friends in Door County, playing racquetball at the YMCA and attending Packers games. Following retirement in 1997, Bob enjoyed life in Cocoa Beach, FL, while returning to Green Bay every summer. He assumed the research of family genealogy following his uncle Victor's and aunt Sister Rosaria Schaefer's death, tracing family roots and records to Ireland, Germany and Russia, from which his great-great-grandfather emigrated in 1765. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am, with visitation starting at 9 am, on Saturday, August 27, at Resurrection Catholic Parish, 333 Hilltop Drive, Green Bay, WI with Bishop Robert Morneau officiating. Bob lived with Parkinson’s disease for many years, and recently diagnosed himself with TMB (Too Many Birthdays). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.