Herbert Schaffner

Herbert Hess Schaffner, 88, passed away in Columbus, Ohio on February 7th in the presence of his family. Dad was born on August 2, 1921 to Henry R. and Lillian Hess Schaffner in Marion, Ohio. He loved his big sister, Barbara Schaffner Lapp, late of Alexander, NY who passed away early in 2009.

Raised in Canton, his father was a manager at the Canton Repository. He attended Lehman High School, was a member of the marching band and made many life-long friends. He loved the summers of his youth spent on Lake Oneida with his uncle William Herbert Hess. Upon graduation, he attended Dartmouth College before joining the United States Army in 1942.

He served with the 78th Infantry Division through the end the war in the Ardennes and Rhineland campaigns as well as in Berlin during the occupation and was awarded the Bronze Star before his honorable discharge in January, 1946. Returning to Belgium in 2001, he was proud to have been honored by the mayor of Hoeselt, Belgium and moved by the dedication of those free citizens who still honor the sacrifices by American GIs. In recent years, he was active in the 78th Division Veterans Association, attending several reunions.

After the war, he received his graduate degree at Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth before joining General Electric as a salesman. In 1949, he married Katharine Ann Chapin of Canton and moved to Youngstown. Upon beginning work in Cleveland with Brush Instruments, they lived briefly in Akron until 1958, when Herb joined The Gibbs Manufacturing Company of Canton. Much loved by his employees, he continued at Gibbs as Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager until 1984. His passion for woodworking and traditional handicrafts continued after leaving Gibbs when he established a successful woodworking business with his wife.

He is survived by his son, Robert Schaffner (and his wife, Beth) of Greenville, SC and four daughters, Anne Meyer of Bay Village, OH, Nancy Parmenter (and husband Bob) of Lewis Center, OH, and Sarah Schaffner and Kathy Kowalski (and husband Chris) of Columbus. He was blessed with and delighted by his five grandchildren, Elizabeth and Andy Meyer, Avery and Katie Schaffner and Winston Parmenter and fondly followed the lives of his niece and nephews in the Lapp and Chapin families.

Herb was a longtime Rotarian and an active volunteer in Plain Local School District and led many successful fundraising activities for the GlenOak High School band. He and Katie supported the Beaux Arts Ball and other civic and charitable activities in Canton and worshipped at Trinity Lutheran Church. The fondest family memories are of grand holiday family gatherings, 4H horse shows and grooming his daughters’ horses and family camping trips to Ocracoke Island, NC where the family laughed, fished, crabbed and played together for nearly 50 years. Following the passing of his beloved Katie in 1998, he remained in Canton until 2007 when he moved to Columbus.

Herb and Katie loved celebrating life with their many friends. Their full lives in Canton were happy and memorable and the home was a center of activity for the children and their friends. Those who knew Herb will remember his gentle nature, sense of humor, dedication to work and family and his willingness to serve when called upon. Cared for by family to his last day, he benefitted not only from the love of his children but also HomeReach Hospice, to whom the family is grateful. The family will hold a private memorial, commemorating both he and Katie, at the South Point of Ocracoke Island. There, the surf, dunes and white sand beach will be warmed by the sun, their laughter and love of family that will be their legacy.

Donations in honor of Herbert H. Schaffner may be made to HomeReach Hospice, 180 E Broad St., 31st Floor; Columbus, OH 43215. Friends may visit www.Schoedinger.com to extend condolences and share memories.