Lester C Schafer Jr

Lester C. Schafer Jr. died Dec. 6, 2018. Les was born in St. Charles, Missouri on Oct. 3, 1934 to Lester C. Schafer & Blanch Schafer. An only child, he grew up in St. Charles and was very active in boy scouts. In high school, he worked part time at a local airport where he developed an interest in flying. He also took up the trumpet, playing with the high school band -- the first of numerous groups he would perform with recreationally throughout his life.

Les attended Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in Geology and participating in the Air Force ROTC program. After graduation, he completed a three-year tour of active duty with the US Air Force, which included pilot training and flying out of Graham Air Base in Florida, followed by foreign surveillance work based at the Strategic Air Command Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. With his tour winding down, Les set his sights on a career in chemistry. He returned to Wash U to complete necessary undergraduate coursework, while applying to graduate programs. In 1960, Les moved to Seattle, WA to pursue a PhD in Chemistry at The University of Washington. Eager to broaden his horizons after some years in academia, Les moved to Europe to serve as a guest chemist for a year with the Ciba company in Basel, Switzerland. While there, he took up German, travelled Europe, and cultivated a lifelong love of skiing and the mountains. Les returned to the US determined to settle down. He went to work for Monsanto Chemical Company and soon after, met his lovely wife Vicky Pederson on a YWCA ski trip to Winter Park Colorado. Two sons, Stephen & Billy, soon followed, as well as a move to Houston, TX to oversee territory sales for Monsanto. Les would retire from Monsanto nearly 30 years later.

Les was a caring and dedicated husband, and he greatly enjoyed sharing his love of skiing, travel, the outdoors, and science with his two sons. He also showed a big heart for animals, rescuing and providing for countless furry, 4-legged friends.

Les was a beloved husband to his wife of 48 years, Vicky, loving father of two sons, Steve (Lisa) Schafer and Billy Schafer, and grandfather of two, Sydney and Tyler. He was a good husband, father, and adoptive parent to his many furry friends. He will be missed by all. For his memorial service, his family plans to scatter his ashes in the mountains of Colorado during a gathering of immediate family.