Winter 2015
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TOWER
25
Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics Magazine,
and president and treasurer of the Pennsylvania State System
of Higher Education Mathematics Association. In recent
years, Schaeffer had helped revise the general education
curriculum for the university and oversee the implementa-
tion of the new general education requirements. As presi-
dent of EPCTM, he arranged the organization’s biannual
conference, which brings together math teachers from
around the region. Schaeffer served on KU’s Alumni Board
and was the recipient of the 2013 Arthur and Isabel
Wiesenberger Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Schaeffer, along with his spouse, KU Professor Emeritus
Bill Bateman, owned the largest privately held collection of
Coca-Cola memorabilia in the world. They were the leading
authorities on the history and advertising of The Coca-Cola
Company. The two history aficionados also collected KU
memorabilia and artifacts, and were working on a book to
commemorate the university’s sesquicentennial celebration
in 2015-2016.
At the conclusion of the memorial services a procession of
vehicles took Schaeffer’s remains to Charles Evans Cemetery in
Reading. The campus of Kutztown University was, for the first
time since 1968, without Randy Schaeffer. He will be missed
immensely, but the effects of his hard work and commitment
to this university will be felt for many years to come.
RANDY S. SCHAEFFER ’72
, associate professor of mathe-
matics, taught at Kutztown University for more than 25 years. He
taught undergraduate and graduate level courses in mathematics
and mathematics education and supervised student teachers in
mathematics, working with more than 400 student teachers.
Schaeffer died Oct. 22 at the age of 64, just days after joining
in the celebration of homecoming and the dedication of Andre
Reed Stadium. One week later, hundreds of people waited in line
outside of Schaeffer Auditorium to have a chance to say goodbye
to the beloved faculty member, mentor and friend.
In May, Schaeffer delivered the afternoon commencement
address to the class of 2014. The speech, much like him, was
witty, educational and inspiring. He told graduates to be flexible,
persevere and never give up, but also to be proud of themselves
and KU.
“Be proud of who you are,” he said. “Be proud of going to
Kutztown University and continue the fine tradition of our previ-
ous graduates. Be proud and make us proud.”
As an alumnus of KU, Schaeffer followed his own advice and
made his alma mater proud. In addition to his teaching, he avidly
pursued opportunities for service; serving as chair of the
University Curriculum Committee, chair of the General
Education Committee, the advisor for the mathematics honor
society Kappa Mu Epsilon, president of the Eastern Pennsylvania
Council of Teachers of Mathematics (EPCTM), co-editor of the
Remembering Professor Randy Schaeffer ’72
The family has established the
Randy Schaeffer Math
Scholarship Fund
in his
memory. Contributions can
be made online at
www.
kutztownufoundation.org
or by mailing your gift to the
KU Foundation, PO Box 151,
Kutztown Pa. 19530.
