Ralph Eugene Shaeffer, Jr

RALPH SHAEFFER – NEVER FORGOTTEN - SEMPER FIDELIS

Ralph Eugene Shaeffer, Jr, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of February 3rd, 2024. To all who knew him, Ralph was a kind, gentle and spirited man, always looking to contribute to the world around him in a positive way. Ralph was loyal to the core and as a 17-year old, his strong sense of duty saw him enlist in the Marine Corps. He distinguished himself in training and became part of the esteemed Raider regiment with which he was deployed to the Solomon Islands in the Asia-Pacific theater of WW2. Ralph saw heavy action and was seriously wounded in a hard-fought battle on Bougainville island - for which he earned The Purple Heart medal. He was then brought home for care and recovery.

Ralph grew up in Portland, the only child of Garnet and Ralph, Sr and after his military service, became apprenticed in the Sheet Metal Industry. He dedicated himself to his craft and through experience, never stopped elevating his degree of expertise. Ever the thinking man, Ralph, on his own, developed innovative mathematical applications for sheet-metal layout which significantly advanced his industry and led to his becoming a nationally recognized teacher through the latter half of his career.

Ralph and his late wife Mary who passed away in January 2002 were a wonderful pairing, beautifully complimentary and a sheer delight to know. A deep, warm friendship with the 2 of them and Helga and Mark Saitowitz was cemented in early 1983 and followed through to Ralph’s recent passing.

Ralph will be sorely missed, but never forgotten, by all who knew him.

Ralph was also predeceased by Laura Edwards - his daughter from a prior marriage who passed away in 2018

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