Ralph Schaefer

Ralph Schaefer of Warminster, PA (formerly of Churchville, PA) passed away on Tuesday March 24, 2026 at the Bridges of Warwick nursing facility in Jamison. He was 87.  Ralph was the beloved husband of Patricia (Gorman) Schaefer for over 60 years.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Adolph Schaefer and Hilda (Nock) Schaefer.

Ralph grew up in Rockledge, PA and graduated in 1956 from the Patton Masonic Institution for Boys in Elizabethtown, PA where he learned the tool and die maker trade. He proudly served in the US Army from 1958 to 1960 as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division, completing 36 jumps.  Following military service, he was employed as a communications technician for RCA in Clear, Alaska for 3 years servicing over the horizon radar equipment during the Cold War.   Returning home to Philadelphia, Ralph and Pat met in Wildwood, NJ and were married in 1965.  He began his lifelong career as a switchman with Bell Telephone, working in Chestnut Hill, Germantown, and Hatboro.  He retired in 1999.

Ralph loved the beach and spent many summers working on his tan and riding the waves in OCNJ. He and Pat loved to travel across the country and to Europe including visits with relatives in Germany.  They were members of the Tiroler ski club and enjoyed numerous ski trips to New England, Western US, Canada and Switzerland.  They spent several winters escaping the cold in Fort Myers, Florida. Ralph was a competitive athlete and he loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports and he attended countless soccer games and gymnastics meets cheering them on.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Susie Fischer (Steve); and sons, John Schaefer (Kimmi) and Steve Schaefer (Maura); his seven grandchildren Katie and Tim Fischer, Ryan and Andrew Schaefer, and Brendan, Matthew and Patrick Schaefer.  He was predeceased by his parents and his older brother Adolph.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Tuesday March 31st at 10:00 AM and funeral service at 11:00 AM in Schneider Funeral Home, 431 N. York Rd, Hatboro.  His interment will be on Wednesday April 1st at 11:00 AM at Washington Crossing National Cemetery located at 830 Highland Road, Newtown, PA (be there promptly at 10:30 AM).

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers in Ralph’s name may be made to Dementia Society of America.

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