Richard John Schaefer was born September 11, 1966 in Auburn, NY. He was the third child of John and Pat Schaefer. He attended school in Goodland KS, Sterling CO, and finished high school in Fort Morgan CO. He joined the Army in the fall of 1985, was stationed at Ft Lewis, WA, and honorably discharged in 1988. He worked for several years at Ralphs Grocery Store in Chula Vista CA before moving back to Colorado. He married Francine Langley in 1995. Though the marriage did not last, they did have one daughter together and remained in touch throughout their lives. Rich worked a number of jobs in Greeley before acquiring a position at Fed-EX working there for 16 years up to his untimely passing. He was a friendly outgoing person who never met a stranger. Even as a small child he knew everyone he met and remembered their names. As a physically strong man, Rich was a big help with projects and was always willing to lend a hand to help friends for family. He was known for being a hard worker no matter what the task was. Richard loved nature and the mountains. A favorite activity was taking his daughter camping especially in the Sleeping Elephant area. Rich had a wonderful sense of humour and a contagious laugh.

He is survived by his daughter Erika of Fort Collins, his parents, John and Pat Schaefer of Fort Morgan, two older brothers, Robert Schaefer of Greeley; Ron (Gina) Schaefer of Fort Morgan; a sister, Rydell (Mark) DeGeldere of Johnstown, CO, one grandson Jeremiah and three nieces and one nephew.

The family asks that donations be made in Rich's memory to a charity of their choice.