Kenneth Schaffer
December 7, 1971 ~ September 14, 2012
Kenneth William Schaffer died suddenly at his home surrounded by his family on Friday, September 14 in Fargo, North Dakota. He was 40 years old.
Ken was born December 7, 1971 in Grand Forks, ND to Kenneth and Cheryl Schaffer(Soma) and raised in LaMoure, ND. He spent the majority of his adult life in Fargo, ND working at RDO Equipment as an IT Help Desk Technician. Ken enjoyed spending time with family and friends, working on his coin and sports card collections, listening to music and was an avid Chicago Bears fan.
Ken had a quick wit, great sense of humor and a laugh that came from the heart. Without realizing it, his love, humor and demeanor meant a lot to his family and friends.
Ken married Christine Sharar on March 6, 1994 in Tacoma, WA. Through this union of marriage, they had two daughters, Brittany and Caitlyn, both at home.
Kenneth Schaffer entered into active duty with the Army June 14th, 1990. While on active duty he served in Desert Storm with the 1st Armored Division from 1990-1991. He also served in Korea from May 15, 1991 – May 5, 1992 with the 702 MSB 2nd INF DIV, D Co as a Target Acquisition Surveillance Radar Repairer. His remaining time on active duty was served until September 30, 1994 as a Network Switching Systems Operator/Maintainer at Ft. Lewis, WA.
November 11, 1995 SPC Schaffer joined the North Dakota Army National Guard, continuing to serve in the Signal Corps he loved. From Jan 24, 2003-April 27, 2004, SGT Schaffer deployed with the HSC 142 Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) to Iraq. A few years after returning SSG Schaffer pursued and completed Warrant Officer Training and was appointed to Warrant Officer 1 on September 1, 2008. From September 23, 2009-May 8, 2010, WO1 Schaffer again deployed, this time with HHC 231 Brigade Support Battalion to Kosovo, serving as the S6 Signal Officer. Upon return, he was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2 on September 20, 2010. CW2 Schaffer served over 21 years in the military. He will be truly missed by the leadership and Soldiers.
Ken is survived by his wife Christine, daughters Brittany and Caitlyn, his mother Cheryl Schaffer, three brothers Timothy(Kerissa) Schaffer(Tioga), Stacy Schaffer(Wimbeldon) and Heath Schaffer(LaMoure).
He was preceded in death by his father Kenneth R. Schaffer, mother-in-law Nancy Sharar, two grandfathers and one grandmother.
He was a dedicated and wonderful, loving husband, father, friend, and family member.
Condolences may be sent to the Schaffer Family, 1218 1st Street N, Fargo, ND 58102.
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WashingtonI was shocked when my brother told me of this loss. I am sorry to hear of his passing. He was a very nice person and helped a lot when we worked at SunMart. I will pray for the family at this time of grief and will hope that he is resting peacefully. He will be missed by many.
Burr Oak KansasI remember alot of fun late nights working with Ken at Sunmart, lots of football talk, joking around, tossing the football around in the parking lot on breaks, all this while working. But when things did get out of hand Ken was the first one to step up and get us back in line.
There were some mornings we’d all go to someone’s house and play Madden NFL Football.
Ken was a great guy who will be greatly missed.
Fargo ND
I had the opportunity to work with Ken at RDO. He was a kind soul and we will all miss him greatly. God grant you strength.
Darla Lenzmeier
I also worked with Ken at RDO. What a great guy he was. Everyone at RDO will miss him greatly. Last Friday was a very somber day for everyone at work. God must have needed a great man.
Ken and I would always compare stories of our girls since they were the same age and I told him he couldn’t leave his wife again and go on active duty because I know how hard it is to raise girls now a days. God must also know that you are a special and strong woman to have taken Ken so early.
I wish your family peace and understanding at this difficult time and know that a lot of us are praying for you and thinking of you.
Bismarck ND
I only knew Ken professionally, but whenever we interacted I could always tell that he was a great man, and had a life full of passion. We would briefly talk football when he would see my work computer may have had fantasy football bookmarks on it. He was always in a good mood and eager to help however he could. He will certainly be missed my his coworkers, as we are all family. God Bless you and your family as you navigate this time, and I pray the peace that passes all understanding fills you to overflowing.
Taylor Rash
Casselton I knew Ken from RDO. He was a great team member. He consistently supported fellow team members and could be counted on to resolve problems. I enjoyed greeting and joking with him when passing by or trying to resolve an issue. Know that Ken was a good person and will be missed. Thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
APO API met Kenneth while going through Warrant Officer training. His sense of humor was always a highlight through out each day. He will truly be missed.
Hillsboro ND
So sorry for your loss, Schaffer family. I got to work w/ Ken some in my last couple of years in the guard and I always enjoyed his laid back nature and sense of humor. I also used to run into him often when I was college @ the Sunmart in North Fargo and I always enjoyed visiting w/ him. Our thoughts and prayers are w/ you.
Fargo ND
To the family: I pray you will find strength in family and friends. Ken was my friend and I will miss him. In time of loss, celebrate life as we remember him.
Fargo ND
I had the privilege of working with Ken at RDO. He was always so helpful and a really fun guy to talk to. I greatly admire and am grateful for his commitment to his country. Ken will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
Detroit Lakes MN
Ken-
You were a great friend, father and Soldier. God Bless you in your Journey.
La Moure ND
I remember when he was a little boy, they lived on a farm by my family’s farm. He was so cute and so shy. He grew up very well, his Dad would be proud of him. Hopefully they are together catching up on stories. Cheryl, you are a very strong person, with a great family, why this had to happen, I don’t know. Please know that you and your family are all in my thoughts & prayers. If there is ever anything that I can do for you, please let me know.
West Fargo ND
I was sadened to hear of your loss. I briefly worked with Ken at RDO. His humor and up beat spirit was always a joy to work with. My deepest sympathies to you and your entire family.
Sincerely,
Tammy Korkowski
West Fargo ND
I had the privilege of getting to know Ken while working at RDO. Who’d have ever thought we would have had mutual friends, both have lived in the Lamoure area, but never met until working together in the “Garden Level” of RDO? I guess it truly is a small world! Ken was always glad to answer our questions and always found time to shoot the breeze for a minute or two after solving our problems, before moving on to the next project. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, he will definitely be missed.
Billings MontanaKen you are and will be missed,
Let the Lord take your hand and leed you home.
Moorhead MN
How sad we are to hear of Ken’s sudden death’ Please accept our sincerest sympathy on the death of your son/husband /father. I knew Ken through RDO and was always impressed by not only his knowledge of IT, but his ability to convey in such a caring way that knowledge to help others. But what truly amazed me was his Call to Serve. Uncommon valor is not a common virtue, but it is a virtue possessed by Ken in spades. It is clear that God needed a good man with uncommon valor in heaven.
We do not have the words to adequately express our sympathy for the profound loss you must be feeling, but be assured you will be together again
Fairbanks AK You were a good friend. Thanks for the laughs and chats! You will be truly missed.
Thanks for serving this country for many years.
Words cannot express how sorry we are for your loss. May God bless you as you mourn for your husband, father, son, brother and friend. Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Shepherd MTI am writing this to say what a great help Ken was to our IT team. It was very comforting to know that no matter what time i called the RDO Help Desk “usually to fix something I broke” that either Ken or someone like him was there to help me get back in track. I never new of his military service and it makes me very proud to read this obit and know that i lived and walked in the same great nation as Ken. my heart goes out to his wife and children. May the lord Jesus guide you through this painful time.
Baldwin ND
I got to know Ken well in Iraq. He was always upbeat and a highly spirited individual. His warm and bubbly demeanor was nice to see on the not so good days.
He will truly be missed here on Earth…and in Heaven I am sure he is upbeat and highly spirited still.
May the good Lord bring peace to your family.
mandan North Dakota
You will be missed. My deepest sympothies for your family and friends.
Beaverton MIMy condolences, Chris. You and your family are in my prayers.
fargo ndOur thoughts and Prayers are with you, Chris,Britney,Caitlyn at this difficult time. Ken was a great guy and will be missed by many
Clio MIOur deepest sympathies are extended to you and your family. May God give you comfort in your time of need.
WEST FARGO North Dakota
To Ken’s family.
We both worked with Ken at RDO and will really miss him. Ken was always so friendly and fun to talk to. When we 1st met Ken we knew instantly what a caring and kind sole he was and how dedicated he was to his country. Ken will be greatly missed by all of us. We are so sorry for the loss of such a wonderful person and we pray that your family can find peace and comfort during this very difficult time.
Brian and Kathy Bergeron
West Fargo ND
We served together in Iraq 2003-04. Please offer my condolences to ken’s family.
West Fargo ND
Chris, Brittany, and Caitlyn….
Know that our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family…
Ken was a great friend and co-worker. I know he served his friends and his country proudly…
Allow God to grant us all, the Peace that only He can give us during this time of deep sorrow….
All of our thoughts, love, and prayers to you again.
Harwood ND
Chris, Brittany and Caitlyn, I am so sorry. Chief was a good man, Soldier and friend. I served with him with the 142, deployed to Iraq and had the honor of working with him with the 426 Signal Company. I have been blessed to have had he opportunity to serve with him and to get to know your family. Chief, you will be missed so much, take care and GO BEARS!!!
West Fargo ND
Ken you were a great man and friend….rest in peace~
We’re so sorry to hear of the passing of Ken. Such a wonderful individual a great husband and father and dedicated to serving his country. He made such a positive difference in his time here in so many ways. Our hearts go out to you. You’re in our thoughts and prayers.
ND
We live across the street from Ken and his family. We never really got to know him and his wife and daughters as much as we should have. He was a very caring father and husband. We know he served his country proudly and we are proud to have had him as a neighbor.
Bob & Terri