Herman E. Schaffer

Herman E. Schaffer, M.D. died on Friday, March 8, 2013, after his melanoma metastasized to his spine. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Monday, March 11, 2013 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, 79606. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 South Pioneer Drive, with Rabbi Murray Berger and Reverend Stan Allcorn officiating. Herman E. Schaffer was born in New York City on January 14, 1935 to Tillie and Naphtali Schaffer. He was born in Yonkers but grew up in Brooklyn. He attended public schools there, PS 139 and Erasmus Hall High School. He graduated from The University of Buffalo, majoring in Chemistry. Graduating from college with honors at age 20, he was the first student accepted into a medical school his senior year and was accepted to every medical school to which he applied that year. He chose New York Medical College in New York City, with two aunts paying for his college and medical school tuition. He graduated from Medical School in 1959. At graduation, he received the Dermatology and the Gastroenterology awards and was elected into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Fraternity. He was honored to receive internship and residency positions in the prestigious Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. He finished his residency as Chief Resident in Pediatrics. Fulfilling his military obligation, he entered the Air Force, stationed at Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas for two years as Chief of Pediatrics. Having never been west of Pennsylvania, he had to look at a map to determine its location, arriving in his black Volkswagen Beetle in July. He met (on a blind date) and dated for two years a local Abilene girl, his forever sweetheart, Norma Willingham. They were married for 48 years. After discharge, Herman and Norma were married in the Brooklyn Supreme Court Building in NYC on July 16, 1964. Dr. Schaffer practiced Pediatrics in New York for a year and a half, then decided living was easier in Abilene. He accepted an invitation from the other Pediatricians in Abilene to return. He opened his Pediatric Practice in Abilene, and was known for frequently seeing patients after office hours and being available on weekends. He left his patients with lots of detailed medical instructions and a laugh, related to his sense of humor. Because of his modest financial situation growing up, Dr. Schaffer was thrifty with himself, always ordering water instead of a beverage in restaurants and in countless other ways. In contrast, he was exceedingly generous with his family and friends. Both Herman and Norma enjoyed travel and had been to 6 of our 7 continents. They had to cancel plans in January to visit the 7th continent, Antarctica. Herman was very active in the community, having served on the Abilene Independent School District Board for six years, and served 34 years on the Region 14 School Board, as well as boards of Temple Mizpah, Abilene Philharmonic, West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Kenley School, and others. He was named Jaycees Outstanding Young Man for 1970. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tillie and Tully Schaffer, and his in-laws, Nell and Alton Willingham. He is survived by his wife Norma, his children Andrew Schaffer and wife Elizabeth, Jeff Schaffer and wife Jenene, Susan Schaffer Roberts and husband Jay, as well as grandchildren Lydia & Lila Schaffer, Jessica and Jenna Schaffer, and Molly and George Roberts. He is also survived by sister Pepi Herbst and husband Bill. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Senter, Robert Gray, Dr. Zane Travis, Dr. B. J. Estes, Dr. Howard Tobin, H. C. Zachry, and Gene Goltz. Memorials may be given to Temple Mizpah, 849 Chestnut, Abilene, 79602, or Anson Jones Memorial Medical Foundation, 402 Cypress, Suite 123, Abilene, 79601, or Meals on Wheels, P. O. Box 903, Abilene, 79604.