Robert W. Schaefer
Robert W. Schaefer, 77, of Fairview Heights, IL, born Wednesday, July 5, 1933 in East St. Louis, IL, died Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at his residence.
Upon graduation from high school, he studied chemical engineering at the University of Illinos. Immediately after graduation from the University of Illinois, Bob served in the U.S. Navy on a minesweeper and destroyer in the Atlantic Fleet, being deployed to the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Persian Gulf. On release from the Navy he joined Shell Chemical Company in Houston, Texas for a brief stint before joining Monsanto Company in St. Louis, where he spent 28 years. While there, he worked in food and fine chemicals, rubber chemicals, and on Round-Up. Bob was part of the team which introduced L-Dopa, the breakthrough Parkinson's Disease drug, to the marketplace.
After retiring in 1988, he traveled the world extensively, visiting all continents except Australia. Bob traveled to most of the European countries, as well as Antarctica, Bhutan, China, Guatemala, Iceland, India, Morocco, and St. Georgia Island. His interest in foreign affairs led him to help establish the Columbia, Illinois-Gedern, Germany Sister Cities relationship and to identify the sister city for Millstadt. Bob also served on the Board of Waterloo-Porta Westfalica Sister Cities.
He was a member of many organizations including Columbia and Waterloo Sister Cities, the St. Louis Camera Club, the St. Clair County Genealogical Society, and the American Chemical Society. He had a special interest in music and was a supporter of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. He also supported the Missouri Botanical Garden, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and the Univeristy of Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Parents: Adolph and Lulu nee Geiser Schaefer.
Surviving are his:
- Very special friend: Lorraine Durbin
- Numerous cousins
- Many friends from Boston to San Francisco
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, or Missouri Botanical Garden.
Visitation: Friends may call from 10:00 am - 11:00 am Friday, June 10, 2011 at Kurrus Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois.
Funeral: Graveside service will be held at 11:15 am Friday, June 10, 2011 at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Belleville, Illinois