Grant Arthur Schaefer

Grant Arthur Schaefer, age 78, of Saginaw, Michigan passed away on July 23, 2017, after a long battle with Alzheimers Disease. Grant was born and raised in Saginaw, MI, leaving only to attend West Point Military Academy and serve in the army at Fort Campbell Kentucky. He returned to Saginaw in 1963 to join the family business, Schaefer Technologies, Inc., where he worked until his retirement in 2004. Grant is preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Janice (Vitito), and his parents, Edwin E. and Barbara Schaefer. Grant is survived by his three daughters, Laura (Ron Mudry), Kristin (Brian Boutell) and Caralee (Christopher Root) and four grandchildren (Natalie, Avery, Grant and Grayson). In addition, he is survived by his brother Richard Schaefer (Sandy), and sisters Cecilia Schaefer and Kathleen Maxfield (Charles). Grant was an active Saginaw County leader, including serving as chairman of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, President of the Saginaw Valley Manufacturers Association, board member and Senior Vice Chairman of Saginaw Future, Inc., board member of the Covenant Hospital Foundation and board member and Chairman of the Saginaw County Business-Education Partnership. Additionally, Grant was a board member and Vice Chairman of the Saginaw Valley State University Foundation, board member and Treasurer of the Association of Water Technologies and a member of the Saginaw Economic Forum. His extensive United Way activities included serving as a board member and campaign chairman. Grant loved fishing, hunting, golfing, a good book and spending time in Florida and Torch Lake with family. He will be greatly missed, especially at parties where he was always first in line for the buffet and first on the dance floor. A memorial service will be held for family and friends at Torch Lake at a later date. A special thanks to the staff at Sunrise on Vernier. Our family will always be grateful for their love and patience. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimers Association at alz.org/gmc. A private memorial service will be held for family and friends.