Roberta Schaeffer

Roberta Schaeffer moved with her husband, Dr. Everett W. Schaeffer (Doc), to Berea in July of 1984. Since then, she has added to the comforting presence and uniqueness of Berea with her gifts of personality and volunteer work. She has become an intricate part of many lives in Berea. Roberta was raised on a family farm near Naperville, Illinois. She is one of six children, three boys and three girls. The children all had responsibilities on the farm and within the household. She believes the atmosphere in which she was raised has contributed to her hard working nature. Her parents were devoted Christians and attended the church where Doc’s father was the preacher. The elementary school she attended with her siblings was the same one that Doc, her future husband, and his siblings attended.

Roberta Schaeffer - Picture Courtesy of Brunner Studio

She attended College at North Central College, in Naperville, as a Home Economics Major. During her second year, she changed her major to English. Soon she learned of, and pursued, a three-year Limited Elementary teaching certificate. Her first position was at the one room, Erb School, close to her family’s farm. She later took summer school classes at DeKalb Teachers College. These classes later qualified her as a substitute and part-time teacher.

On July 2 in 1942, Roberta and Doc married. From there, they started in a direction that would ultimately prepare them for the mission field together. While they had many adventurous years and travels in their life together, they spent most of their adult life at Red Bird Mission. Located in rural Beverly Kentucky, Doc served as the Doctor for all ages and circumstances. Roberta tended the house, served in any way needed for the mission, and substitute taught for the school. The mission is a very special place in their hearts. It was here that they built a home together, only to rebuild it after a devastating flood swept it, and all their belongings, down the river. Their children were born and raised there. Roberta provided strong support and leadership through the hard times for her family and friends. She has wonderful memories of her times and friends at Red Bird Mission.

In 1983, Roberta and her husband chose to begin looking for a slower lifestyle away from the missionary practice. Doc was offered a position with Berea College working in Health Services, serving students and staff. After many prayers for guidance concerning their future paths, a man from St. Louis was soon accepted to take Doc’s place at the Mission. By July of 1984, they had purchased a home in Berea; they still reside in the home today. Their family welcomed this move. It took them closer to their children’s families; especially their daughter, Ruth, who works as a nurse at Berea Hospital.

While in Berea, Roberta has been actively involved. She has attended Body Recall three times a week since the year they moved to Berea. It took a few weeks for her to convince her husband to join her. But they both feel that the class keeps them active and has helped keep them healthy, mentally and physically. She has worked a great deal as a 4-H leader teaching sewing and cooking.

For the last 13 years Roberta has volunteered her time, every Tuesday, to serving the Madison County Pregnancy Help Center. She has served as a member of the Berea Women’s Club for numerous years, and was the President from 1991 through 1994 and then again in 2000-01. She and Doc worked together to serve the youth of their church by leading a Sunday school class. They are very involved in their church and have a special way of caring for every member. Roberta has often played the piano for the children to sing during church services. She learned to play as a child and has continually served as the pianist for the Sunshine Friends Pre-school programs on a volunteer basis.

During her free time, she enjoys reading books, growing flowers, sewing, playing the piano, bird watching, volunteering and playing scrabble with Doc. She also enjoys spending time with their family and grandchildren. Some of her favorite memories are from watching her grandchildren when they were younger, while their mom and dad were at work. Roberta continues to learn more, meet new people and face new challenges, she calls it, “enlarging our territory.”

One of her most recent accomplishments is finishing her second book about her and Doc’s life. She filled the book with stories, memories, and pictures from the past. She hopes the book serves as a record of their lives for their families and future generations. It also serves as a tribute to her husband, who served in the medical field with a unique practice. The book was finished in July of 2002, after five years of periodic work. In 1980, she wrote a book about the Mission at Red Bird. That book is still available and distributed through Red Bird.

Roberta feels Berea is the perfect town for her. She enjoys the closeness and small town atmosphere. She appreciates all talented people who work in Berea and all of the activities the college offers to the public. She and Doc often visit musicals and performances on campus. She comments that, “the people are so personable and interesting.” She enjoys her quiet neighborhood, yet she also appreciates the convenience of being close to town. When I asked her what her specific words of wisdom are, she shared “Keep active, keep interested, keep focus on the Lord and serving him through church and the community.”

Written by Hannah Billings