In Loving Memory of
Russell James Schaef

Russell was born in 1938 in Cleveland, Ohio to Lyle Wesley Schaef and Viola Wagner. He passed away on September 28, 2016. He is survived by his wife Kazuko Schaef, three children and five grandchildren.
Russell was the eldest of 14 children and grew up in the small town of Linesville, Pennsylvania. Russell joined the Air Force in 1956, seeking to expand his horizons. He succeeded, traveling to distant lands such as Formosa (now Taiwan), Japan, Libya, and Okinawa. Stateside, Russell was stationed in Texas, Michigan, Nebraska, and multiple times in Colorado.

On his first tour of duty, Russell became friendly with a gate guard who introduced him to his beautiful neighbor. Russell fell in love with Kazuko and eventually convinced her to marry him. They had three children. Susan was born in Texas, Richard in Japan, and James in Michigan.

Although he loved being outdoors and especially loved the ocean, his family was his life and passion. When grandchildren appeared, he loved playing with the babies, incessantly holding them up to play with the beads hanging in the kitchen doorway. He loved Ryan, Brittney, Kendall, Tina, and Alex very much.
Russell had a ready sense of humor and loved to joke around. He was generous and compassionate, opening his home on holidays to the homesick G.I.s in his squadron overseas.

He truly was loved by all.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations are made in his name to:
National Foundation for Transplants
www.transplants.org
800-489-3863

A reception will follow the interment at Richard and Ann Marie’s house
8877 W. Gould Way
Littleton, CO 80123


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