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, and husband, 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.