Donald Scott Schaefer, M.D.

SCHAEFER, Dr. Donald Scott, MD
of Kalamazoo, Michigan Donald Scott Schaefer, MD, 81, died Monday, May 28, 2012, following a valiant battle with Parkinson's disease. Dr. Schaefer was preceded in death by his parents, Brady and Virginia Schaefer and his sister, Virginia Bildner. He is survived by his beloved family: wife of 56 years Jacqueline Cameron Schaefer; sons Dr. Robert Schaefer of Kalamazoo, William Jan Schaefer of Madison, Wisconsin; Jon Schaefer of Portage; and daughter Amy John Waldvogel of Hillsdale. Dr. Schaefer will be sadly missed by 13 adoring grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, friends and colleagues. A graduate of Hillsdale High School and Hillsdale College, Dr. Schaefer left college during his junior year in 1951 to enter the U.S. Air Force. The Air Force sent him to Medical Field Service School at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, where he discovered his passion for medicine. Following an honorable discharge in 1955, Dr. Schaefer returned to Hillsdale College where he completed his premedical education. On June 9, 1956, one week after graduating from Hillsdale, he was united in marriage with Jacqueline Bernice Cameron, also a 1956 graduate of Hillsdale College. Dr. Schaefer earned his medical degree at the University of Michigan in 1960. He completed his internship and residency at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. In 1962, he entered private practice as a general practitioner with his friend and classmate at the University of Michigan, Robert Janke, MD. In 1964, Dr. Schaefer left general practice and began residency training at Wayne State University in obstetrics and gynecology. He returned to Kalamazoo in 1967 to join C. Rex Moe, M.D. and Edward R. Carter, M.D., in the practice of OB/GYN. In 1986, he left private practice and began working for Bronson Hospital in the Perinatal Department doing high risk OB with Silvo Aladjem, M.D., Robert Austin, M.D., Patrick Lavery, M.D., and David Piesner, M.D. Dr. Schaefer retired in the fall of 1995. Dr. Schaefer was a member of the Kalamazoo Academy of Medicine, the Michigan State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He was an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, and served as chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Bronson Hospital from 1974 to 1976. In 2004, Dr. Schaefer was honored by Hillsdale College as recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. In addition, Dr. Schaefer was a member of the Hillsdale College Presidents Club. He was also a member of the University of Michigan Alumni Association and the Wayne State Medical Alumni Association. In addition to being a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kalamazoo, Dr. Schaefer was an associate member of the King of Glory Lutheran Church in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where the couple enjoyed their winters. Dr. Schaefer was first a compassionate and caring husband and father who gave of himself unconditionally to his family while also devoting himself professionally to his patients throughout his long career. Following retirement, Dr. and Mrs. Schaefer especially enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, other family members and many friends. Admired and loved by all who knew him for his strong faith, high moral character, generosity, and engaging sense of humor, Dr. Schaefer inspired others by his example of an active life well lived and a positive attitude in all circumstances. He loved music, both classical and popular songs from the 20's through the 50's. He was an avid golfer, tennis player, and skier, and a loyal University of Michigan fan and Detroit sports fan. He loved watching his grandchildren participating in a variety of sports and encouraged them to always do their best while having fun. A gathering of family and friends will be held Thursday from 4 to 8pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. A memorial service will be held 11:00 Friday morning at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 504 S. Westnedge Ave., with Pastor Kenneth Johnson, officiating. Private inurnment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Dr. Schaefer's memory may be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hillsdale College Science Department, the University of Michigan Medical School or Hospice of Southwest Michigan.