Gene Philip Schaefer

Gene Philip Schaefer, 76, of San Tan Valley, Arizona, passed away on November 26, 2025. Mr. Schaefer will be remembered as a spiritual man, dedicated to humanitarian causes. His voice, loud in song, will be sorely missed.

Gene was the first pharmacy tech for Kaiser Permanente, working at Bess Kaiser Hospital in Portland.

Gene was born in Moscow, Idaho, and grew up in Battle Ground, Washington, where his father was a teacher at Battle Ground High School. He graduated in the class of 1967, from that school. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Washington State University.

Gene is survived by his wife of 23 years, Mary, his sister, Barbara, his sister in law, Jani, and nine cousins.  Also surviving are Mary’s  children, Petra and Eric  and grandchildren Marshall, Annie, Stelios, and Quinn.

Gene was preceded in death by parents, Phil and Ruth, and brother Gary.

Gene was actively involved with St. Vincent de Paul at Sacred Heart Church in Battle Ground for 25 years. He was a member and officer in the Battle Ground Lions Club, and a charter member and officer in the San Tan Lions Club. He is a Melvin Jones Fellow. He earned third degree in the Knights of Columbus, Council 17036.

Gene became blind at age 32, a victim of diabetic retinopathy. After undergoing three years of kidney dialysis, he became the recipient of a donor kidney in 1992. He joined the Donor Registry in Arizona, in order to share the gift of life with others.

Services will be held at St. Michael the Archangel, in San Tan Valley, 10AM January 14. A funeral mass, burial, and reception will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Battle Ground, WA, 11AM June 11. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in Gene’s name, to St. Vincent de Paul, c/o Sacred Heart Church, 1603 N. Parkway (PO Box 38), Battle Ground, WA 98604