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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.