Robert E. “Bob” Schafer, 83, Terre Haute

Robert E. “Bob” Schafer, 83, of Terre Haute, passed away Friday morning, Aug. 9, 2024, after a period of decline due to progressing dementia.

He was born Nov. 5, 1940 in Jasper, Ind. to Theodore S. Schafer and Bertha E. (Ruhe) Schafer.

Bob was a 1958 graduate of Jasper High School and received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Business Administration from Indiana State University. During his career at ISU, he served under five presidents and was the recipient of the Jones Medal for outstanding service to the Presidency of the University, among many other honors.

He retired in 2006 from Indiana State University as Vice President of Administrative Affairs and Secretary of the University after 45 years of service.

Bob was a long-time member of St. Benedict Catholic Church and ISU Alumni Association, among myriad other organization participation. In his retirement, he volunteered at St. Benedict Church Soup Kitchen and the (former) St. Ann Clinic. Throughout his life, Bob was known as a loyal and service-oriented person. In retirement, he supported numerous local and national charities.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Penny Gail (Bulkley) Schafer; four children, Leslie Schafer de Ochoa of River Forest, Ill., Justin Schafer (Michelle) of Meridianville, Ala., Nicholas Schafer (Lisa) of Brownsburg, Ind., and Lauren Hayes of Avon, Ind.; and eight grandchildren, Jason Hayes, Brecken Hayes, Grace Schafer, Isabelle Ochoa, Bryce Schafer, Natalie Schafer, Madeleine Ochoa and Angela Schafer.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 12:05 p.m., Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in St. Benedict Catholic Church, 111 South 9th Street, with Father Bob St. Martin officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street, with a Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m.

If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Terre Haute Humane Society, 1811 South Fruitridge Ave., Terre Haute, IN 47803; to the Sisters of Providence at St. Mary of the Woods, 1 Sisters of Providence, Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana 47876; to the Carmelite Monastery, 59 Allendale, Terre Haute, IN 47802; to the ISU Foundation, 30 N 5th St, Terre Haute, IN 47807; or to a charity of your choice.

Funeral information and tributes may be found at www.callahanandhughes.com.