John Phillip "Phil" Schafer 1922-1991

SCHAFER, LYON

Posted By: Paul Moritz (email)
Date: 8/16/2010 at 14:27:13

John Phillip "Phil" Schafer was found dead of apparent natural causes at his home in Flagstaff, AZ, Saturday, September 28, 1991.
Phil Schafer was born November 10, 1922, in Lansing. His childhood was spent in this small town nestled under the Iowa hills, in a loving home across the street from the Mississippi River. He was awarded a full four year scholarship to Harvard University where he graduated with honors, receiving degrees in botany and geology. While a graduate instructor there, he met Mary Alice Lyon, a Radcliff student. They were married in Harvard Memorial Chapel. He then joined the Brown University faculty, where he taught for seven years.
In the mid 1950's he accepted employment as a geologist in the United States Geological Survey, and this became his lifetime career. His specialty was glacial geology, and he became part of a team who created a map of New England as it was in the Ice Age, 10,000 years ago. He and Mary Alice adopted a son, David, and they lived in Lexington, MA in a cooperative land development known as Five Fields.
In 1969, Phil transferred to the USGS Center Astrogeology in Flagstaff, AZ, where he worked to develop the exploratory vehicle used in flights to the moon. Mary Alice died in 1970, and Phil returned to USGS headquarters in Reston, VA, in 1978, while David remained in the family home in Flagstaff. Phil continued the New England mapping project until his retirement in 1989, when he returned to Flagstaff.
In 1990, Phil was elected to a two year term on the Flagstaff City Council. He served as Council representative to the Water Commission and to the Housing Authority where he worked for affordable housing.
Phil was an advocate of environmental concerns and his enthusiasm was unbounded as he participated in many campaigns to protect the land and resources and to preserve and develop the arts. He was an active leader in the Northern Arizona Archeological Society, a founder of the Flagstaff Sierra Club and the past chair of the Sierra Club of Northern Arizona-Grand Canyon area. He was on the board of the American Civil Liberties, Northern Arizona chapter and of the Coconino Citizen's Association and an active member of the Museum of Northern Arizona.
He is survived by his son David, a daughter-in-law, Jackie; three grandchildren, Jodie, Leslie and Dawn, all of Flagstaff; a sister, Lois Anne Rosen of Chicago, nieces and nephews and a number of cousins.
A memorial service was held Thursday, October 3, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Flagstaff.
Source: Allamakee Journal, Lansing, IA - Oct. 9, 1991