Cdr. Thomas Charles Schafer, USCG, Ret. passed away on July 22, 2024 at the age of 86. He was born on July 4, 1937 in Cleveland, OH. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Glinda, three children, David B. Schafer (Jen), Michael J. Schafer, Lori Schafer Gerarve (Dennis, Jr.), his brother James Schafer (Kathy), 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Cdr. Schafer joined the Coast Guard reserve when he was a senior in high school and became active duty after graduation. He served honorably for 24 years working his way up from Seaman Recruit to Commander. His service took him to Buffalo, NY, to Rhodes, Greece, where he was an electronics technician aboard the Voice of America ship USCGC Courier, to Groton, CT for Officer Candidate School, then to Pensacola, FL for Naval Flight Training. After receiving his wings in Corpus Christi, TX, his operational assignments included air stations Brooklyn, NY, Kodiak, AK, St. Petersburg, FL, New Orleans, LA and CCGD8 staff. While in New York he received the Sikorsky Winged S Award for an offshore rescue. Another of the outstanding rescue flights among many was in 1969 off the coast of St. Petersburg, FL. He piloted the HH52-A 1426 and repeatedly landed on the water picking up and transporting to the safety of land the survivors from a father-son large party fishing vessel which rapidly burned to the water line in just a few minutes. Miraculously there were no serious injuries. He traveled to Washington, D.C. in April, 2016 to witness the ceremony of this aircraft being the first USCG helicopter to be inducted into the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udar-Hazy Center. Other aircraft he flew were the Albatross HU-16 and the HH3F.
In civilian life he was active in his community of Terrytown, LA as a Boy Scout leader, president of the neighborhood Terrytown Country Club, and a supporter and honorary member of his wife’s Degas Pastel Society art group. He was also an avid gun enthusiast and worked and taught gun safety at a local gun shop. He loved woodworking and “fixing” things. His ingenuity led to the invention and patent for the Trash Trapper, a mesh bag to hang inside a boat or RV, which is now sold all over the country.
Commander Schafer will always be remembered for his love of family and country and his witty sense of humor. His favorite words were “There should always be a place for whimsy in the world”.