Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Francis C. Schaffer passed away Sunday, August 19, 2012. He was 88.

Col. Schaffer, a decorated veteran having served in World War II and the Korean War, lived a full and adventurous life. He was born July 7, 1924, in Vicksburg. He initially enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1942 and was sent to Europe, arriving in October 1944. First Lt. Schaffer was assigned to the 757th Bomb Squadron, 459th Bomb Group and served as navigator on the B-24 Liberator bomber. While the average life expectancy of a bomber crewman was 14 missions, Schaffer survived 35 combat missions before returning stateside. He served as lead navigator on 22 of 35 missions either as squadron, group or wing lead. His major battles and campaigns included Rhineland, the PO Valley, North Apennines, Central Europe and the Balkans which occurred in Austria, Germany, Italy, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.

Col. Schaffer is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Alejandrina Diaz-Lobo Schaffer, a brother Lucien Cason Schaffer and wife, Frances; and his children, Verien Schaffer, Marian Schaffer, George M. Schaffer and wife, Elisa Chwoschtschinsky, M.D., Marla Schaffer Cobb and husband, Jim Cobb, and Francis Calmes Schaffer Jr. and wife, Melody Schaffer. He is also survived by grandchildren Kevin Murphy, Meghan Hemingway and husband, Johnny Hemingway, Lindsey Golden and husband, Rory Golden, Adam Whitaker, Schaffer and Dallas Cobb, Lucy and Cason Schaffer, and a great-granddaughter, Ever Golden. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucie Cason Schaffer of Independence, La., and George Michael Schaffer Sr. of Vicksburg; three sisters Mary E. Schaffer Salmon Riddle, Christina E. Schaffer McLain and Eleanor B. Schaffer; two brothers George Michael Schaffer Jr. and William Schaffer all of Vicksburg; and a grandson, James Burke Cobb of Baton Rouge, La.

After World War II, his military career included a recall to service with the 301st wing, Strategic Air Command of the U.S. Air Force for the Korean War, where he again served as navigator on both the B-29 and B-50 bombers. He was stationed at Eielson AFB (Mile 26 Field), Fairbanks, Alaska from which he flew reconnaissance flights. His tour was extended to allow low flying over the North Pole with Dr. Carver of the University of Michigan who was developing a grid system of navigation later used in commercial polar flights. Later tours of duty included Lakenheath, England and Sidi Slimane Airbase, Morocco. Upon separation from active duty with the Air Force, he continued his call to duty and service by transferring to the U.S. Air Force Reserve. In the Air Force Reserve, he served as Commanding Officer of all Reserve General Training Units in Louisiana and eventually, with the rank of Colonel, retired from service to the country he loved in 1978.

Col. Schaffer’s military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Presidential Citation, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Unit Citation, three theatre of operations ribbons and six campaign ribbons with five Battle Stars.

A 1951 Chemical Engineering graduate of Louisiana State University, a registered Professional Engineer, President of the Schaffer Global Group and its predecessor engineering companies, Col. Schaffer became world renowned in the sugar industry and related agriculture business sectors. At LSU, he worked at the Audubon Sugar Institute developing new equipment and engineering standards. It was there that he met his first business partner, the esteemed professor, Dr. Arthur G. Keller, who later invited him to form a business together, Arthur G. Keller and Associates & Engineering. During that time, LSU was a mecca for students for learning sugar engineering. The company became one of the most successful technology transfer companies to originate out of LSU. Col. Schaffer held or jointly held 14 patents, including for the Vertical Diffuser. His contributions to the industry are recognized in over 60 countries and resulted in awards from the U.S. Department of State and the Corporate Council on Africa in recognition of corporate citizenship in Africa, innovation and exemplary international business practices. Notable sugar development and engineering projects included Kenana Sugar, the world’s largest integrated sugar mill, located in the Sudan, Rio Grande Valley Sugar Cane Grower’s Cooperative, the only sugar mill in Texas, and he was involved with the initial or expansion design engineering of most of sugar mills in Florida. Together with Dr. Keller he provided consulting to the Louisiana sugar industry which continues through the work of Dr. Harold Birkett. Schaffer was a partner in SS&S Fabricators (Steel) of Addis, La., for over 50 years and was involved with Mr. Sevin in expanding it to one of the largest in Louisiana. At the time of his passing he was a 25-year member of the Board of Directors of the World Trade Center of New Orleans. His service to the international business community and sugar industry is recognized by his memberships in the Corporate Council on Africa, American Society of Agricultural Consultants and many others.

The Schaffer family is blessed to have shared in his life and watched in admiration as he touched so many lives in corners of the world unknown to most. Friends and associates describe him as kind, quiet, brilliant, humble, fair, peaceful and hardworking. An outstanding loving father to his family, a resolute friend and generous employer, he stressed the importance of tolerance for and love of all people. He especially loved the people of the Sudan, and he worked for ethical trade and harmony between America and the Third World. The Schaffer family is very grateful and proud of all of his partners and employees that made possible his many successes in life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Living4Burke Foundation at Whitney Bank, Baton Rouge. The foundation was initiated by Col. Schaffer in honor of his grandson James Burke Cobb to provide screening for the detection of cardiac defects in student athletes. Donations may also be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 127, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.

Christian services were held Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012, in Baton Rouge and included military honor guard with a 21-gun salute at Oak Lane Memorial Park Cemetery on Louisiana 73 in Prairieville, La. Visit www.rabenhorst.com to sign the guest book.

Pallbearers were Eric Breaux, Jason Breaux, Robert Brown, James Cobb, Marlan Mitch, Kevin Murphy, George Schaffer, Francis Calmes Schaffer Jr. and Adam Whitaker. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Harold Birkett, Robert Miller, Tillman Huckeba, Jose Spinoso, Maryoud Elsunni, Ross Campesi and Floyd Barbay.