Richard "Dick" Raymond Schaefer

Dick's Celebration of Life will be livestreamed here: https://vimeo.com/event/3563970

Dick's Tribute Video can be viewed here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/HPFKMDFYG2BTL8NW

Richard "Dick" Raymond Schaefer, 84, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2023 shortly after a diagnosis of acute leukemia. He was surrounded by family at Sanford Hospice House in Fargo, ND.

Dick was born on August 4, 1938 to Ray and Gert Schaefer. He was raised in Bismarck, ND with his five brothers and sisters. He graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1956, obtained his bachelor's degree from St. Mary's College in Winona, MN, and a master's degree from Catholic University in Washington, DC. He lived and raised his family in Fargo, ND and spent retirement at Big Cormorant Lake, Minnesota.

Dick lived a life that made a difference. In his early years he served as a pastor, school principal and counselor. He had a gift and passion for working with troubled adolescents and their families. As a licensed addiction counselor, he worked with chemically dependent teenagers and their families for over 50 years. He had a unique talent for program development and initiated North Dakota's first addiction treatment program for adolescents at Jamestown State Hospital in 1970.

After working as the Director of Adolescent Services at Southeast Mental Health Center in Fargo, he established the Touch Love Center which provided services to youth in schools and courts throughout the region for decades. As a well known expert in adolescent addiction, he provided training to professionals throughout the United States and Canada and taught classes at local universities. His book, Choices & Consequences, became the guidebook for parents and professionals on what to do when a teenager uses alcohol and other drugs. Published in 1987, it remains relevant and is still used and sold today.

Dick was well loved by family and many friends for his genuine warmth, kindness and generosity. He was married for over 40 years to his wife Mary, they had two children Shannon and Patrick. He also shared a son, Eric, with his first wife, Pam. His family, including his six grandchildren, were the joy of his life. His love of people meant he knew no strangers, and he had the gift of being in the moment and finding meaningful connections with all those he encountered. He loved music, books, art, travel, and life at the lake. You could often find him listening to jazz in his favorite chair with his cat Cali on his lap, or driving the pontoon with the help of a grandchild.

Dick is survived by his wife, Mary (Kirchen) of Fargo, ND; his first wife, Pam (Bailey) Freeland of Venice, FL; children Eric (Jess) of Boston, MA; Shannon (Yaron) Bart of Los Angeles, CA; Patrick (Kenzie) of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren Patrick, Adela and Ben; Aliel and Matan Bart; and Dessa; brother, Mike (Mary) of Sacramento, CA; brother, Tom (Bernadette) of Lancaster, Wisconsin; and sister, Mary Pat (Tom) Severin of Redondo Beach, CA.

Dick was preceded in death by his father, Ray; mother, Gert; sister, Rosemarie "Ree" Klinkhammer; and sister, Jackie Raffaelle.

A celebration of Dick's life will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Cormorant Lutheran Church and will be livestreamed on the funeral home website. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Churches United for the Homeless, in Moorhead, MN.

We will miss his warmth, smile, and most wonderful hugs.

Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home - Fargo, ND