Frederich Schaufler, 87, of 337 Bella Vista Drive, Ithaca, NY passed away April 26, 2011, at the Cayuga Medical Center. He was born December 29, 1923 in Brockton, NY, two months after his parents Ernest F. Schaufler, Sr. and Johanna Gutekunst Schaufler emigrated from Germany.He entered Cornell in 1941, enlisted in 1942, and was called to active service in 1943. After serving in Europe with the Army Corps of Engineers, the 1251st Treadway Bridge Company, he re-entered Cornell.
As a member of the Cornell Class of ’48, he received a Bachelor of Sciences, followed by a Masters degree in Horticulture and Education in 1952.He entered Cornell in 1941, enlisted in 1942, and was called to active service in 1943. After serving in Europe with the Army Corps of Engineers, the 1251st Treadway Bridge Company, he re-entered Cornell. As a member of the Cornell Class of ’48, he received a Bachelor of Sciences, followed by a Masters degree in Horticulture and Education in 1952.
His career was spent working in the Cornell University Cooperative Extension program as the 4-H club specialist in ornamental horticulture. He published more than 40 member and leader guides for the Annual Flowers, Perennial Flowers, Indoor Gardening, and Landscaping Youth projects. He also authored many Extension booklets. He earned a reputation as a well-prepared teacher whose workshops and training sessions included hands-on projects. He set up the original Master Gardener kits for Annual Flowers, Perennial Flowers, and House Plants. His horticultural radio program ran for many years on WHCU and throughout New York State.
Ernie received the following awards: Epsilon Sigma Phi (Extension fraternity) award for weekly radio programs, Alice Dorscher Horticulture Bronze Medal from the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of 4-H Agents, Epsilon Sigma Phi NYS Distinguished Service Award, the Gold Medal of Honor Horticulture Award from the New York State Nursery/Landscape Association, and the Cornell College of Life Sciences and Agriculture’s Alumni Award for Outstanding Faculty/Staff in 2002.
He retired from Cornell in 1983 as a professor emeritus and continued to share his knowledge with Master Gardeners, and to judge 4-H exhibits at the New York State and county fairs.
He married Beverly Harding Pratt in 1949. They lived on Turkey Hill Road for 55 years. He was Varna United Methodist Church treasurer and trustee, Varna Boy Scout Troop 45 chair, Varna Community Association chair, and for many years, active member and chair of the Varna Volunteer Fire Company where he was made a life member in 1989. He also served as Ithaca Memorial Society president and chair for Acacia fraternity’s board of directors.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Beverly Pratt Schaufler (Cornell ’48), three children, Donald (Karen) Schaufler, of Ithaca, NY; Katherine Schaufler of Newfield, NY, and Douglas (Janet) of Warriors Mark, PA, and eight grandchildren: Kelly, Ted, Amanda, Duncan, Russell, Brenda, Brandon, and Tony, and four great-grandchildren: Grace, Gabriella, Mollie and Joey. He is also survived by his brother Paul Schaufler of Olympia, WA., and his sister Gertrude (Chuck) Freidel of San Bernardino, CA, and nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be celebrated at May 14, 2011, 10 a.m. at Longview, Bella Vista Drive, Ithaca. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ernie’s memory to: Varna Volunteer Fire Company, 14 Turkey Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14850; Longview Horticulture Committee, 1 Bella Vista Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850.
Interment will be in Willow Glen Cemetery, Dryden at a later date. Perkins Funeral Home assisted the family.
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