Dick Thomas Schafer

March 4, 2024

CHARLOTTE – Dick Thomas Schafer, age 87, peacefully passed away on Monday, March 4, 2024, at home in Charlotte, NC, surrounded by his family after a bout with cancer.  He was born October 13, 1936, in Collingswood, NJ, the second and last child of the late Marion Thomas Schafer and Louis Jacob Schafer.

Upon graduation from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA in 1958, Dick married his high school sweetheart Barbara on September 13, 1958.  They moved to Florida where Dick worked in sales and service for the Jacksonville Caterpillar dealer.  There Dick was very active at First United Methodist Church where his lovely tenor voice could be heard in the choir.  In 1986 he moved the family to Annapolis, MD, to work with road builders in Washington, D.C. and finished his career in heavy equipment and cranes in 1998 when he and Barbara retired to Moss Lake in Shelby, NC.  There he was an active participant on the board, music and food ministries of Central United Methodist Church; the Shelby Rotary; Crisis Ministries; the boards of Habitat for Humanity Cleveland County and United Way.  After moving to Charlotte in 2019, Dick and Barbara joined St. John’s Baptist Church where he participated in the Encourager’s Class and food and refugee/immigrant support committees.

Dick is survived by his loving wife, Barbara George Schafer, with whom he shared 65 years of marriage; their two treasured children, Susan Barbara Harden and her husband, Brian, and George Jacob Schafer and his husband, Tony Tallent.  Also surviving are his two cherished granddaughters, Anna Harden of Chapel Hill and Katie Harden of Charlotte; his devoted sister, Shirley Ann Latch of Collingswood, NJ; niece, Nancy Latch Kearney of New Jersey; nephews, Jay Latch of Arizona, Steve Latch of New Jersey, and Bob Latch of Oregon.

Dick’s life will be celebrated at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at St. John’s Baptist Church.  The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Dick to St. John’s Baptist Church, Attn: Food and/or Refugee Ministries, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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  • Laura Rucker

    Dick was a bright light wherever he went. I remember fondly his joking spirit and his devotion to Barbara. I’m deeply sorry that this light is now only seen in our hearts.

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  • Beverly Putnam

    Dear Barbara, thinking of you and the many great times shared in choir at CUMC. Dick was always a light to all of, especially when he sang. Sending much love and prayers.
    Beverly Putnam

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  • Refugee Support Services

    We met the wonderful Dick and Barbara in the very early weeks of COVID and we have seen them at our center almost every single week since then. They have supported so many in the community to access fresh, healthy foods and we have been so grateful to work alongside them these last years. We have been missing Dick and Barbara over these last weeks and our hearts are broken to have to say goodbye to him. We send out love out to his family and loved ones and we celebrate the light he shared with us and with so many others.

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  • Linda Murdock

    Dick was a gentle giant of a man; always caring, thoughtful, and smiling. You felt the “sunshine” whenever you encountered Dick. Barbara and Dick lived an inspiring love story. Rest in His sweet peace, Dick.

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