Charles "Chuck" H. Schaefer Jr.

He was born February 17th, 1943 at Jefferson Barracks in St Louis, Missouri, to Charles H. and Edna A. (Martin) Schaefer. In 1946 the family moved to the Guild’s Lake area of Portland. In 1947, he was joined by a brother, Jim. He attended Chapman Elementary and Lincoln High Schools.

After graduating in 1961, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Vietnam, where he was assigned to intercept radio communications, until he was discharged in 1964. After leaving the Army, he enrolled in Portland State College. Throughout his time there, he changed his major several times. When asked why he said, “I kept going until I milked the GI Bill dry.” graduating in 1971, majoring in history.

In 1971, he met his wife, Jo Ann Yurkovich, they married September 1, 1973, first moving to an apartment in SE Portland, then in 1974, purchased a house in the Hollywood District and where he lived for the rest of his life.

Over the years he worked as a bartender, on an assembly line manufacturing woven wood window shades & mini blinds, executing art installations for M & P Graphis, as a cabinet maker and as a manager for Safeway. He enjoyed, working at his in-laws Christmas Tree Farm, driving a shuttle for attendees of the Oregon International Airshow, volunteering for Veterans Day Parade activities, and serving mocktails to participants of Off the Couch Events. Chuck enjoyed vacations with family and friends, movies, music, collecting old cameras, fishing and video games. He was also an avid reader, often reading three books at a time.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, Charles & Edna Schaefer; and survived by his wife, Jo Ann; brother, Jim (Kathryn); niece, Natalie Schaefer; and nephew, Sam Schaefer; and a large circle of extended family and friends.

Per his request there will be no funeral, Interment will be at Willamette National Cemetery and a Celebration of Life will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Chuck’s name to an educational non-profit of your choice.