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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Dr. Robert J. Schafer of Petersburg, who
4passed away on May 12, 2020; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Schafer was born in Wheeling, West Virginia to
6Walter E. and Matilda (Schmidt) Schafer on June 20, 1929; he
7completed undergraduate and medical school at Saint Louis
8University and married Harriet Moore on June 11, 1955; he
9received his medical license in 1956; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Dr. Schafer served with the U.S. Navy in Hastings,
11Nebraska until he and his wife moved to Petersburg in 1959;
12opening a medical practice at the Menard Medical Center, he
13served as a family medical physician until his retirement in
141997; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Dr. Schafer also spent 24 years with the Illinois
16Department of Professional Regulation (Department of Financial
17and Professional Regulations) as the medical coordinator for
18downstate Illinois; he also served as the chairman of the
19Medical Records Department for Memorial Medical Center in
20Springfield for almost 25 years; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Dr. Schafer retired in 2015, and Governor Bruce

 

 

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1Rauner recognized him with an Illinois State Medical
2Disciplinary Board Resolution; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Dr. Schafer was inducted into the Petersburg PORTA
4Foundation Hall of Fame in March 2018 for his community service
5and volunteerism; he was a past president of the PORTA School
6Board, supported the PTA, and was a member of the Foundation
7Board; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Dr. Schafer was affectionately known to family and
9friends as "Doc", "Bob", or "Pop" and had a high energy for
10life and living; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Dr. Schafer was preceded in death by his wife of
1248 years, Harriet; his daughter, Mary Thurnau; his parents; and
13his sister, Helen Gantzer Stenger; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Dr. Schafer is survived by his children, Mark (Jo)
15Schafer, Mike Schafer, Bo (Carol) Schafer, Gina (Chuck)
16Woodrum, Ann (Kip) Strasma, and Tim (Paige) Schafer; his
17grandchildren, Jessica (Craig) Burnside, Logan (Kristy)
18Schafer, Caryln (Clayton) Craig, April (Chris) Cox, Jolori
19(Evan) Thurman, Nick (Erin) Schafer, Lauren (Brent) Kulavic,
20Claire Schafer, Lindsay (Mitch) Wissmiller, Christy Woodrum,
21Madalynn Woodrum, and Taylor and Ashley Schafer; 16
22great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and extended

 

 

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1family; therefore, be it
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
3ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
4Dr. Robert J. Schafer and extend our sincere condolences to his
5family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
6further
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8presented to the family of Dr. Schafer as an expression of our
9deepest sympathy.