In Loving Memory
Rudolph J. H. Schafer
“Mr. ECOED”
9/13/07
Rudolph J. H. Schafer, 80, passed away Thursday, September 13, 2007, in his home surrounded by his loving family.
“Rudy” was born and raised in Los Angeles, California in 1927. He attended Hollywood High School and went on to graduate with his Masters Degree from U. C. Santa Barbara. It was there he met his loving and devoted wife of 58 years Natalie. He honorably served his country in World War II. He worked for the Los Angeles City School District as a classroom teacher, Public Information Officer, and Conservation Education Specialist; he also worked for 11 summers as a Seasonal U.S. Park Ranger.
He came to be known as “Mr. ECOED” the “modern day father of environmental education” when in 1967 he relocated his family to Sacramento and went to work for the California Department of Education as the first full-time Environmental Education (EE) Program Manager, during which he founded a 13–state organization of state-level people with responsibilities similar to his.
The Western Regional Environmental Education, (WREEC), as it came to be known, developed two major educational programs, Project Learning Tree (PLT) and WILD which are in use throughout the US and other countries and have served thousands of teachers, and latterly millions of students.
Rudy loved listening to Jazz music, his pets, and collecting items of historical significance. He and Natalie owned and operated the Folsom Mercantile Exchange and promoted the California’s Capital Show, antique paper and post card expo.
Together Rudy and Natalie raised three wonderful children, Allyn a boat operator for the California State Park Service and Father of Nick, Martin a Veterinarian in Plumas County and father of Kari and Kyle and Charlotte a Sales Representative in the Pet Industry.
Friends are invited to a memorial celebration of life service for Rudy on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at 2:00 PM at Calvary Chapel, 801-Z Riverside Avenue, Roseville, CA 95678 (916) 786-7485.
