Elwin L. Schaefer
Elwin L. Schaefer, age 92, passed away June 8, 2018. Elwin was born in Mancos Colorado. Since 1935 he was a resident of Albuquerque. He graduated two years early from Albuquerque High School in 1940. In 1942, Elwin was drafted by the U. S. Navy and served as a fire-control man during WWII. He sailed on the USS Castle Rock (AVP-35), a 1,766-ton Barnegat class, small seaplane tender, escorting convoys between Saipan, Guam, and Ulithi. He also served in the Korean War in Seattle, Washington. He was a kind person with a gentle soul who enjoyed making conversations and always helping. After WWII Elwin earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of New Mexico and became certified as a Professional Engineer. He served as an electrical engineer at Sandia National Laboratories for 39-years managing and developing systems to provide electricity for the lab’s various initiatives. Elwin was preceded in death by his wife, Elise Schaefer in 2011; sister, Mildred Litt; and his parents, Lucas and Irene Schaefer. He is survived by son, Ken Schaefer; daughter, Karen Stidham, Derek; son, Kurt Schaefer; seven grandchildren, Ben Schaefer and wife, Rachel, Johanna Schaefer, Erika Stidham, Keirsten Stidham, Gregory Stidham, Jocelyn Schaefer, Justin Schaefer; and five great granddaughters, Eloise, Nora, Penelope, Claire, and Magdalene. Friends may visit Thursday, June 14, 2018, 3:00 p. m. – 5:00 p.m. at FRENCH Lomas. Funeral Service will be held Friday, June 15, 2018, 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park at 12:30 p.m. Family thanks the staff at Montebello on Academy for the great care and activities provided and to Ambercare Hospice. In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity. Please visit our online guestbook for Elwin at www.frenchfunerals.com