Lou was born on March 12, 1929, at home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to parents Sarah Mildred and Louis A. Schaefer. After graduating in the Class of 1947 from Philadelphia’s Central High School, Lou attended Drexel University in Philadelphia graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1952. That fall, he also married his college sweetheart, Geraldine (“Gerrie”) Mary Beaver of Philadelphia and then entered the US Navy, serving 3.5 years in the Civil Engineering Corps in the US and abroad, ending his military service as a Lieutenant after 10 years in the USN Reserves.
In 1955, Lou joined the Austin Company, living and traveling extensively on the east coast for his job as a construction field engineer. After daughter, Kim, and son, David, were born, Lou was transferred to Cleveland, Ohio, with the Austin Company (1965) where son, Kenneth, was born. Lou managed the Steel Fabricating Division. Lou, along with Gerrie, served as one of the founding families at Pilgrim Lutheran Brethren Church in Mentor, Ohio, where they were involved in church leadership and building a robust, international mission program.
In 1968, Lou transferred with the Austin Company to Houston, Texas, in the position of Assistant District Manager, overseeing many substantial industrial projects in Houston and internationally, in South America and the Middle East. Lou touched many lives serving as an Elder, mission board leader, and mentoring countless young adults and couples at Spring Branch Community Bible Church.
Lou and Gerrie relocated to Conroe, Texas, in 1977 presenting a major transition in their lives as they moved from the business world into full-time ministry. Lou began serving as the Director of the Forest Glen Christian Camp and Conference Center in Huntsville, Texas, overseeing improvements, expansion, and construction of new facilities. During this time, Lou and Gerrie were very involved at Conroe Bible Church where Lou served as an elder for many years. Lou was passionate about relationships and invested his time and talents in mentoring, teaching and shepherding others.
After “retiring” in 1997 Lou and Gerrie followed a life-long dream to serve the Lord directly on a foreign mission field. From 1997 until 2001, they lived in Luampa, Zambia and served with Sudan Interior Mission (SIM) at a remote bush hospital. Lou put his engineering skills to work overseeing construction and renovation projects on the hospital. He even had several opportunities to assist the local village churches serving as a guest pastor. In 2003, Lou and Gerrie moved to Honduras to serve in the remote jungle hospital, Loma de Luz, with The Cornerstone Foundation.
Lou had a servant’s heart and always shared his love of Jesus with all he met. He was always cheerful and had a warm smile and a ready ear. He freely shared his time and talents with any in need. Lou had a passion for studying the bible and gently sharing what he’d learned. Every morning Lou would rise early and sit in his chair with a cup of coffee, his Bible, and a handwritten prayer list containing the names of missionaries from every corner of the earth, family members, and acquaintances. He would diligently pray for each, specifically and tirelessly until he saw an answer to the prayer. He was a remarkable man, husband, father, and was known as “PopPop” to his 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandsons.
Lou will be greatly missed by many friends, colleagues, and missionaries all over the world, who join us in celebrating a life well-lived and share in great joy that he is at peace with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Lou was preceded in death by his wife, the love of his life, Geraldine Mary Schaefer, brother, Kenneth Charles Schaefer, his parents Mildred and Louis A. Schaefer, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Elva and David E. Beaver, various aunts, uncles and cousins primarily of Philadelphia, PA.
He is survived by his children: daughter, Kim Schaefer of Houston, TX, son, David Louis Schaefer of Nacogdoches, TX, and son, Kenneth Steven Schaefer (“Ken”) and wife, Lori Campbell Schaefer of Fort Worth, TX; five grandchildren: Lindsay Kathryn Schaefer Landrum and husband, Curtis R. Landrum; Natalie Anne Schaefer Evans and husband, Andy Evans; Hayden Louis Schaefer and wife, Hannah Fuller Schaefer of Nacogdoches, TX; Grandsons Campbell Steven Schaefer and Samuel (“Sam”) Orr Schaefer of Fort Worth, TX, and his two great grandsons, Braxton and Maxwell Evans of Houston, TX.
A celebration of his life will be held in the chapel at Cashner Funeral Home, Conroe, Texas, on Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Conroe Bible Church (www.conroebible.org) or Forest Glen Christian Conference Center (www.forestglen.org)
