A. Schafer Obituary

A. William Schafer. Long-time Hinsdale resident A. William Schafer, age 76, died Sunday June 5, 2011, of recurrent colon cancer. He died peacefully at home with his wife and practice partner of over 30 years, Nancy Fleming. Dr. Schafer attended Austin High School and the University of Illinois for his undergraduate and medical degrees. He was an obstetrician-gynecologist associated with Hinsdale and GlenOaks Adventist Hospitals for many years, delivering 10,000 babies over that time. He vigorously supported natural births, being instrumental in the establishment of Hinsdale Hospital's first birthing rooms and introducing a physician/nurse-midwife team approach to birth and women's health. He was an avid bicyclist, and many will remember him riding his high-wheel bicycle in the Hinsdale 4th of July parade, or riding on his recumbent bike around town. He was an active member of the Hinsdale Rotary Club, with 25 years of perfect attendance; a member of the Hinsdale Masonic Lodge (#934) at the level of a Master Mason; and he supported many other community and charitable organizations. Dr. Schafer was the father of Laura Schafer (Pancho Gonzales), Lynn Thomas (Rob), and Leslie Lencioni; step-father of Kristin Weaver and Karin (Chris) Rohn; grandfather of Keegan and Ayden Thomas, Zachary and Melissa Widel, and Parker and Peyton Rohn; and brother of Paul (Joan) Schafer, Ira Schafer, and Kay (Mark) Durst. A simple memorial service for him will be held Monday, June 13 at 10:30 at the Union Church of Hinsdale (137 S. Garfield, Hinsdale). In lieu of flowers, he requested that donations be made to promote world peace through the Rotary International Foundation (14280 Collection Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693. or http://www.rotary.org/en/contribute/pages/ridefault.aspx) or the charity of your choice. Interment via a green burial will be private.