Edward V Schaffer

Edward V. Schaffer, MD, died October 1, 2012, at home with his loved ones at his side. Born in Staten Island, NY, November 17, 1923, he showed his promise early in life by winning the National Soap Box Derby Championship in Akron, Ohio. He served the Army in WWII as a private. He always said his service as a private wasn't distinguished, as he served on the special services baseball team. After WWII, Ed graduated from Manhattan College and the New York College of Medicine. The Air Force was his next stop flying as a Dr. and studying the pilots and the effects of extended flight time. Residency in Orthopedic Surgery was then completed at Indiana University. His practice was centered around Methodist Hospital, Community Hospital and Franklin Hospital. Living in Northwest Indianapolis, he and his friends would fly out of Metropolitan Airport as well as his farm, "Camelot". This was home to exotic animals, including tigers, guanacos, camels, pigmy horses, zebras, a kangaroo and various farm animals. Ed was an avid golfer, and could be found often at Meridian Hills Country Club. Ed always loved teaching Orthopedics to students at Indiana University. At this era in medicine you were allowed to treat your patients as humans not numbers. It was a gift and there was great joy in helping others. He retired in 1990, moved to Atlantis, Florida, and soon was found treating migrant workers at the Caridad Clinic in Boynton Beach. Later they moved to Merritt Island, Florida and he worked at the Path Clinic in Brevard County. He was never far from a friend who needed his advice and help. Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Mary Jo (Jodi); daughter, Paula (and husband Dusty) Noble of Orlando, FL; daughter, Kathryn Ray Jones of Palm Beach County, FL; and grandchildren, Samantha and Nicholas Jones; son, William J. Ray (and wife Lynette) of Cocoa Beach, FL; and grandchildren, John and Colin Ray; son, Jeffrey Schaffer, is now studying medicine in Cape Cod, MA; Ed's only sister, Ruthanne Kirby, lives in Zionsville, IN; his niece, Mary Ellen, also resides in Zionsville where her children, Anna and Tim, were graduates of Zionsville High; his in-laws, Susie and Wayne Miller of Cloverdale, John and Karen Carroll of Indianapolis, and Pat and Joe Wiley of Avon Park, Florida have contributed so much to Ed's family. Ed was a very exceptional man and had friends too numerous to mention but never the less, loved. Ed and Jodi decided to donate his body to Science Care so he can continue in death to aid in his chosen career. Ed's favorite Charities are: Salvation Army, Covenant House, Caridad and Path Clinic. Plans will be completed in the near future for a service - A Celebration of Life in Indianapolis.