Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Ronald Lawrence Schaefer, a 30-year resident of Edgewater, MD and previously of Bethesda, MD, died at his home on Friday, July 21, 2017, following a 16-month battle with pancreatic cancer.  He was 77.

Born September 29, 1939, in Bronx, NY, to the late Emil and Jessica Schaefer, Ronnie was a self-employed professional photographer who specialized in wedding photography.  He was a longtime member of the Professional Photographers of America, Inc. and the Professional Photographers Assn. of MD Inc.  Upon retiring he pursued his lifelong passion of fishing and was a member of the MSSA.  

Ronnie is survived by his wife, of 55 years, Madelyn Schaefer; three daughters, Karen Merewitz and her husband Carl of Huntingtown MD, Dianne Gurdak and her husband Mike of Vienna, VA and Wendy Todd and her husband Mickey of Homer, AK; a sister, Sandra Sager and eight grandchildren,  Andrew, Brian and Jason Merewitz, Julia, Jared, Jackson and Joshua Gurdak and Rylyn Todd.  Ronnie will be remembered as the best husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many people.

A Remembrance gathering for Ronald will be held at the Yellowfin Steak & Fish House, 2840 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD from 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday, August 5. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Ronald Schaefer may be directed to support Dr. Dung Le’s pancreatic cancer research at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Make checks payable to Johns Hopkins University, with a memo indicating the designation and that the gift is in memory of Ronald Schaefer, to the Kimmel Cancer Ctr., Development Office, PO Box 17029, Baltimore, MD  21297 (https://secure.jhu.edu/form/kimmel). Donations may also be made to Maryland Sports Saltwater Fisherman's Association's scholarship fund, c/o Mr. Pete Abbott, 219 Overture Way Centreville, MD 21617 (make checks payable to MSSA). Online condolences and tributes may be made by using the link on this page.  

Ronald Lawrence Schaefer

Ronald Lawrence Schaefer

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