Jeffrey David Schaffer

Jeffrey David Schaffer was born in Brooklyn, NY on September, 25, 1941 to Edna and Morris Schaffer and was raised in Syosset, NY. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned his BA and MBA in Finance from the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism and met his wife Toby Lurie Schaffer. They lived in Lansing, MI where their son Lane Adam Schaffer was born. Jeff worked for Mobil Oil as a Financial Analyst and then for Hotel Corporation of America, where he joined the management training program at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. In 1967Jeff was transferred to the Royal Orleans in New Orleans, LA as the Director of Management Services. He later took on the same role for the opening of the Royal Sonesta in New Orleans. They welcomed their daughter Stephanie Jill Schaffer during this time.

Jeff was the General Manager of the Pontchartrain Hotel from 1970-80. He also served as the President of the Greater New Orleans Hotel-Motel Association and a member of the board of directors of the New Orleans Restaurant Association. He chose to pursue his academic career in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism and received his Ph.D. in Strategic Management from Virginia Polytechnic University in 1986. At that time Jeff and Toby moved back to New Orleans where Jeff joined the faculty of the School of Hotel Restaurant and Tourism at the University of New Orleans. He later became the Head of the Department and was instrumental in developing a Masters’ Degree program for the HRT School. He retired after 30 years.

He loved the water and fishing from a young age and always enjoyed sharing his catch with friends. He was a long-time member of the Shell Beach Literary Society. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Toby Lurie Schaffer, his son Lane Adam Schaffer (Karen Rabinowicz), daughter Stephanie Schaffer Willner (Jeffrey Willner, deceased), grandson Leo Francis Schaffer, sister-in-law Carole Lurie Neiberg. and many nephews and great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Jeff with a contribution to either the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation “Get Out and Fish” Program (www.lawff.org) or the St. Tammany Hospital Guild (www.sttammany.health/Volunteer). Please share your memories, tributes and photos at www.forevermissed.com/jeffrey-david-schaffer.