Obituary
Richard (Dick) Lindon Schaffer, 79, of Port Charlotte, FL, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2024, at ShorePoint Hospital in Port Charlotte, FL.
Richard was born October 17, 1944, in Milwaukee, WI, to parents Richard Lyle Schaffer and Carol (Reichlin) Schaffer. Richard married Cecile (Ceil) Sciortino on August 3, 1968, at Calvary United Methodist Church.
Richard graduated from Custer High school (1962), received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (1968) and his master’s in education from the University of Portland (1973). He taught chemistry and math in the West Allis/West Milwaukee School District for 33 years. He also worked as a high school track coach for many years.
After retiring from the school district, Richard went on to teach Chemistry at Madison Area Technical College. He also ran the clock for Watertown High School girls’ basketball team and boys’ football team.
Richard was a loving husband, father, papa, brother and friend. His warmth and kindness touched the lives of many. Richard possessed a gift of connecting with others, effortlessly striking up conversations with those he met and making others feel at ease in his presence.
Richard was a very active man who loved to be outdoors and delighted in duck hunting, tending to his yard and garden. He was an avid golfer, an Evans Scholar, a member of a golf league and a golf volunteer. Richard volunteered for various golf tournaments in Wisconsin and Florida, including the American Family Insurance Championship in Madison, WI. He was also a huge sports fan, cheering on all the Wisconsin teams.
After years of being a snowbird in Florida during the winter, Richard and Ceil moved to Florida full time in 2021, yet his heart always remained true to Wisconsin.
Richard is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Ceil, son, Todd (Kimberly) Schaffer of Madison, WI, daughters Holly Schaffer of Chicago, IL, Lisa (Jason) Davis of Sterling Heights, MI and his beloved grandchildren, Avery Schaffer, Drew Schaffer, Josephine Davis, Camille Davis, Nora Davis. Also, brother Dean (Jerri) Schaffer of Richfield, WI, brother-in-law Robert Sciortino as well as countless friends and family. Richard is preceded in death by his parents, father and mother in-law, Tommy and Norma Sciortino and sister in-law, Susan Sciortino.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt and sincere gratitude to the medical staff at ShorePoint Hospital who did all they could to help Richard and his family.
A Celebration of Life will be held June 22, 2024 at Rosati’s in Oconomowoc, WI. Celebration to begin at 2 pm; tribute ceremony at 3:30pm.
Baldwin Brothers of Port Charlotte is honored to serve the Schaffer family.
Lois Neumann
Sorry to hear of Dick's passing. My husband, Ken Wiedmeyer, passed away on May 23, 2024. It's hard. I wonder if Dick and Ken are playing cards with old friends from West Milwaukee? Again, I know how hard this is for all of us, Pam
and I'll tell you all about it when I see you again! You will be profoundly missed, but never forgotten!
My sincere condolences to the family. Dick was my duck hunting partner in North Dakota and he will be missed and remembered by us all. I always enjoyed listening to his stories, and making new memories each trip out there. I hope you are reunited with all of our great dogs, and enjoy yourself, my friend!
We will miss you so much! We always loved our get togethers!