Robert H. Schaeffer, M.D.

Robert H. Schaeffer, respected and beloved by many, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 11, 2014 after a brief illness, full of love from and for his family and friends.

Born in Seattle, he was the youngest child of Royer and Hilda Schaeffer. At age 5 his family moved from Seattle to Aberdeen, Wash., where he attended kindergarten through fifth grade. When his family returned to Seattle, Bob attended Coe Elementary and then graduated from Queen Anne High School in 1939. He was an excellent student and a talented basketball (All-City guard) and tennis (high school championship) player. At the University of Washington, Bob played on the freshman tennis team. He also played on the basketball team his freshman year and part of his sophomore year, but amiably quit following a discussion with coach Hec Edmonson; practice conflicted with Bob’s chemistry lab, and they agreed that his time was better spent on school. Bob continued playing basketball in a city league, and his team took great pleasure in once defeating the UW varsity bench warmers. In the summers, Bob worked first delivering telegrams, then at a logging camp near the headwaters of the Green River, and later as a cook at the Seattle City Light facility in the North Cascades. During his summer in the North Cascades, Bob and friend Dave Jacobson hiked from Newhalem to the Mazama valley and then hitched a ride back with a local truck driver.

On Dec. 28, 1943, Bob married the love of his life, Joanne C. Mersereau, also a graduate of Queen Anne High School. Before Joanne’s death in 2011, they celebrated 67 years of marriage.

After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Washington in 1943 (2½ years), Bob entered medical school at the University of Oregon. Due to WWII, students attended school year-round. Bob was selected as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha and graduated from medical school in 1945. During medical school, Bob and fellow classmates formed a dynamic basketball team called the U. of O. Medics. They did not practice much, but had a lot of fun and played quite well; highlights included beating both the Oregon Ducks and the Willamette Navycats. After completing medical school, Bob interned at Harborview Hospital in Seattle in 1945. From 1946–48, Bob served in the U.S. Army as a 1st lieutenant and then captain at the VA Hospital at American Lake, Wash. From 1949-1951, he completed a two-year Pediatric Residency at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Bob and Joanne then moved to Lewiston, Idaho, where he entered private practice. In 1953, they moved to Walla Walla, where he practiced as one of Walla Walla’s first pediatricians, was an early partner in the Walla Walla Clinic, and retired in 1987.

Throughout his life, Bob maintained an extraordinary commitment and love for his patients, as well as fellow physicians and staff at the Walla Walla Clinic. During his years in practice, Bob also spent time assisting the Lillie Rice Center and organized medical services for migrant farm worker families. He also served as a volunteer advisor to countless other social services agencies. During the last 10 years of his practice, he was the attending physician at the Whitman College Health Center, where he enjoyed jousting with the students.

Always one to learn new skills, Bob completed a WWCC carpentry and home-building class then subsequently built a vacation home in La Conner, Wash. Bob enjoyed sports throughout his life, learning to ski as an adult, playing many a game of tennis with his buddies well into his 80s, and riding his bike into his late 80s. He missed exercise, and at 90 took up water exercise, improving his fitness and encouraging his children and grandchildren by example.

Bob never lost his love of learning and curiosity. He read fiction and nonfiction voraciously, took correspondence courses in genetics and other topics, and particularly enjoyed the ever changing study of cell biology. In recent years, he volunteered in the Biology 111 lab at Whitman College, thoroughly enjoying his work there. He also taught several science courses in the Quest program at Walla Walla Community College, and especially loved teaching cell biology.

He exemplified a strong work ethic, including service to others, as well as qualities of kindness, honesty and loyalty. He and his wife Joanne greatly enjoyed social activities with many dear friends; during their lifetime, they had a lot of fun. Until the end of their lives, both Bob and Joanne were regular attendees of the Walla Walla Symphony, Whitman Music and Harper Joy Theatre events. Bob loved nearly all sports, and enjoyed being a spectator at many a Whitman activity.

Bob kept his curiosity and sense of humor to the end, never taking himself too seriously. After a full and productive life, his only hesitation about not living forever was the sense that there were new and astounding discoveries to be made in the world, and he would miss out on them.

Throughout his life Bob was devoted to his family. He is survived by four children, Robert N. Schaeffer (Maureen) of West Linn, Ore., Mary S. Neel (Rick) of Seattle, Janet S. Gifford (John) of La Conner, Wash., and Ann S. Tucker (Kelly) of Lake Oswego, Ore.; plus 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, who absolutely adored him. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne; grandson, John Kayler; and sister, Jean Fisher.

All who knew Bob will miss him very much. At his request, a private family memorial will be held at a later date. Also at his request, donations may be made in his name to Whitman College Biology Department, Walla Walla, WA, 99362.