Wendell (Bob) Robert Schaeffer

Wendell Robert (Bob) Schaeffer

11/16/1926-12/8/2015

Bob, age 89, died Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at Valley Manor Care Center.  He was an only child born to Gertrude (Fehlman) and Roscoe Schaeffer on Nov. 16,1926 in Evanston, Ill.   He grew up in Oklahoma City and after high school joined the Navy and served in WWII as a radio tech.  After the war ended he attended Northwestern University graduating with a degree in electrical engineering.  It was there that he met his future wife, Corinne (Connie) Jones and they were married on July 1. 1950.   He went to work for Oklahoma Gas and Electric in Oklahoma City.  As a result of a vacation to Western Colorado and a ride on the Galloping Goose to Trout Lake in 1951, Bob and Connie decided to move to Western Colorado.  In 1952 Bob accepted a position with Western Colorado Power Co. and Bob, Connie and their new baby Karl moved to Montrose.  Their daughter Kathy was born the next year.

Bob was a founding member of the Montrose Amateur Radio Club, the Montrose Model Railroad Club, and the Ridgway Railroad Museum.  He helped bring KREY TV to the valley acting as engineer and taking on many other responsibilities when the station was located on Flat Top.  He also was a member of Kiwanis and of the Montrose Planning Commission.

His interests included railroads, sports cars, jeeping, sailing, and skiing.  In 1973 Bob and Connie moved to Ogden, Utah where he was Division Superintendent for the Utah Power and Light Co.  In 1975 he retired and he and Connie bought a sail boat and spent 2 years sailing up and down the East coast.  They then traded the boat for a motor home and spent 2 years traveling all over North America.  They came back to Montrose and built their own home.

Bob’s wife, Connie, preceded him in death earlier this year.  He is survived by his son Karl (Janet) of Ridgway, Kathy (Steve) Parish, grandchildren Nick (Jennifer) Parish, Rob (Ashley Newby) Parish, and Rebekah (Manuel) Pena, and great-grandson Emmett Parish all of Montrose.

The family would like to thank HopeWest Hospice and Valley Manor Care Center for their compassionate care.  Memorial contributions may be made to HopeWest Hospice at P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402, or Ridgway Railroad Museum at P.O.  Box 588 Ridgway, CO 81432.  At Bob’s request no service will be held.  Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Colorado is assisting the family. (970) 249-2121