Scott Shaeffer Obituary

Scott,
You are a cornerstone in my life. You showed me trusting love that makes friends into family, a bond that lasts forever. In every group, I miss you, they’re not complete without you. At the same time, I admire your independence and courage. You went out like a super nova whose initial blast is first unbearable but necessarily, because your light enriches us all onwards! You in this way taught me of the true nature of the cosmos. And I’m grateful. I feel the need to apologize for my blindness, I’m sorry for my hurry too. But you showed me clearest yet, that all things of true beauty are fleeting. And best of all, I now accept my own brevity and natural progression. You made everything acceptable, you made it all okay. Thank you for all your love! I love you back.

I miss you. I don't understand.

Scott, thank you for teaching me to play chess. You were a great guy and I'm glad I knew you. You made high school a better experience for me, and I never forgot about you. My condolences to your family. Rest in Peace.

I'm a musician friend of Scott's, I did many jazz gigs in New York city with Scott in 2004-2006. I just heard of his passing a few days ago. I'm extremely sad to hear of this. Scott was and will always be a beautiful person and superb musician. I have many photos and video's of Scott playing on my gigs, if anybody knows how I can contact his family, I would really appreciate it.
You'll be missed.

Scott, I will miss you so much. I'll never forget all the times we played music together, or when you came all the way out to SUNY purchase for my recital. You were such a wonderful, warm soul...
To his family, I want to express my most sincere condolences, he was wonderful.

Although I did not know Scott personally, I remember Doug speaking about him with such love and compassion I know that he will dearly be missed. Doug, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers and I am sure his passion of music will live on.

To Scott's Family,

The Ravinia Festival has you all in our thoughts. Scott is remembered as a bright star among the Ravinia Jazz Scholars. We are proud to have been associated with him.

We wish you peace during this terribly sad time.

To Mr. and Mrs. Shaeffer.
I know how much you will miss Scott. I encourage you to draw on your strength and the strength of your family to help you through these trying times.

Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memories of Scott help comfort you tomorrow, and all the days after.

Detective Mark Czworniak

To Scott's family and friends,

The Jazz Mentors at Ravinia are deeply saddened to hear of your loss of a great son and great friend. We are also saddened to loose a very talented jazz scholar who followed his dream.

Dear Moni, Doug, David, Danny & Teddy,

Our hearfelt condolences. Unfortunatey we learned of the visitation too late to offer these words in person, but please know our hearts break for your loss. Wishing you strength, comfort, and peace in the days ahead.

With sincere sympathy,
Michael, Linda, Chris, and Paul Jeffers

Dear Doug and Family,

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. There are no words that I can share that can ease this kind of loss other than to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you now and always.

To the Shaeffer family,
I am so sorry for your loss, and have been keeping you and Scott in my thoughts these past few days. I always had a good time hanging out with Scott when we were both living in New York, and when my brother and I were in Chicago a few years ago he was wonderful, took us out and showed us around. He was such an easy-going, kind and generous person -- I hope that your memories of all the good in him are some comfort to you, and I hope that he finds peace.

Dear Doug, Mony & family,
I was so very sorry and sad to hear of the loss of your son Scott. I hope you find some comfort in the memories that will keep him alive in your hearts forever. Please know that we are all thinking and praying for you during this most difficult time. My thoughts are with you...

Mony, Doug and the Boys:

Although there are no expressions of condolence that can ease the pain you feel, we hope you will take comfort in the knowledge that all of your friends have you in their thoughts and prayers.

Mary Ann and Dave Carrell

I got to know Scott through Eleanor and was lucky enough to get together with him multiple times. I loved his stories about his music, his teaching, his family and his life in Brooklyn. When he went back to Chicago, he came up to my partner's cottage in Michigan for a visit and we had a great time.
The joy Scott brought people in his life makes this sad, but it gives me comfort to know how fully engaged and vibrant Scott was in his life.
Thank you for raising such a wonderful man.
Best, Susan

Dear Ramona and Doug - I only met Scott once, but I felt like I knew him because Ramona talked about him so often. I cannot imagine your feelings of loss. I hope you will be carried by faith and the love of all your family and friends.

Doug, Moni and family:
Alan and I just learned of your great loss. Please know we are so very sorry and are keeping you in our hearts and prayers. May God bless your whole family.

Dear Scott,

We were all so excited to have you back in Chicago. It's so sad to see you go...

We'll always remember your smile, your soothing words, and of course, your awesome music. You were always the mellowest and coolest of guys... words just can't describe how you managed to touch so many people so deeply.

I'll miss you buddy... wishing you peace and love and happiness wherever you are

Dear Doug, Moni and family,
There are so few words that come to mind at a time like this. I only knew Scott through the wonderful stories Doug shared and the pride by which he talked about him. He was obviously a special person, friend, son and brother to many.

Your faith will see you through this, my prayers are with you today and in the days to come.

God Bless,

Chris Reedal

Dear Doug and Family,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your son, Scott. I can't imagine what you must be going through, but I just want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Scott was always one of the nicest people in high school, even though we hung out with different "crowds". And I definitely remember what an amazing musician he was. He will be much missed. My condolences go out to Doug, Moni, and the sibs in this time.

Doug, Mony & Boys,,

My thoughts and prayers are with you all at what has to be the most difficult time of your lives.

There are no words to take away the pain of today but I hope you can find comfort in the many great memories from the past you can carry on to your future. Some stars burn so bright they burn out far to quick but are noticed by so many. Seeing the guest book entries from just a few of the people whose lives were touched by Scott is amazing.

Please take care of yourselves, again my prayers are with you all.

Scott and I lost touch a bit ago, but I will always remember watching him grow from the random freshman to the obviously gifted teenage musician to the bright soul on the cusp of adulthood to the man on the make. Always so bright and easy to chat with and just... impressive. I'm gonna miss him. Dearly.

To all who knew and loved Scott,
I only met him briefly but know that he had a profound effect on many people. The fact that he had decided to teach "Rock Band" to a bunch of little kids says volumes about the person who he must have been. Our thougts and Prayers are with his friends and family.

I knew scott briefly, and for a short period of time. I had the pleasure of having him play bass with my band in New York. Scott was a talented musician, but most of all; a powerful and generous personality. The world is lessened by his loss. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

Selah Eric Spruiell
Brooklyn, New York

Scott was a great person, and touched my life in an important way. Scott and I learned our craft together at Gallery 37 and Merit School of Music. After a hellish freshmen year at college, Scott reminded me I could still learn and play jazz well by getting me to simply play with him. Jazz in all forms will never be the same, and I'll think about Scott whenever I hear a bass. I'll never forget his smile, his jokes, our never-ending musical discussions, and a person who made the world a little bit better by him being here.

Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, make the angels sing blue notes!

Scott,

It is a dark day as we prepare to bid goodbye to you one last time. You will be missed more than you will ever know and you will always live in our hearts. I will miss the lightness of the laughs that we shared and the wizardry of your music.

I will always remember you for your kindness and sincerity. I regret that I will no longer be able to listen to your music and that we are all left with an emptiness from your absence.

Till we meet again, may your spirit find peace and live always in tranquility.

Dear Scottie,
Your friends loved you and forever will. To me you were a friend, a neighbor, a little brother and someone I deeply admired. Your legacy will forever be that of a charming, kind, and generous soul--and just the coolest cat. The earthly world is suffering a great loss, and I pray you have found the peace and comfort you seek. Peace and blessings, friend. Your music will play on in all of us.

To the Shaeffer family,
My deepest condolences and love go out to you. We are so fortunate to have known Scott. I pray for you in this time of great grief.

Dear Doug and Family,
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I'm sorry Scott, I'm sad that we didn't get to meet up after you moved back to Chicago. I miss rocking out and laughing with you. Rest in peace, I miss ya buddy.

Scott was the best. He was raised in a home with so much love, compassion, understanding, and strength. He shared that with all of us, his friends, and the world. He taught me so much and I will try to live those lessons everyday in his memory. He will be missed profoundly and my thoughts and prayers are with everyone who's lives he touched.

Dear Friends and Family,
We all are going to miss Scott. He was such a kind gentle spirit that we all loved and were so proud of. He would genuinely and thoughtfully listen and share insite that was well beyond his year's of maturity. My children and I knew him since he was 2 and we had many fond memories of camping together and the birthday and block party's together. We would look forward each time he came home from College in NY for a visit. We had no idea you were in any pain or any of us would have dropped what we were doing and come to be with you. We Love you and are going to miss you dearly. We will treasure all the times we spent together and all the beautiful music you shared with us at block party's and home party's as well as professionally at public venue's. You were talented in so many ways we were in awe of. We ENTRUST you to GOD now and we look forward to seeing you again in HEAVEN.
WE ALL LOVE YOU SCOTT
Love Toni,Keith,Jessica,HollyBear,Scott,
Teegan & Kailey.

I am so very sorry. I taught Scott music and was happy when he got into the school he wanted to go to. He was a terrific student and a big part of the Merit School of Music. He will be missed by all.

Hello to all,

My deepest condolences to all who have been touched by this unspeakable tragedy.

Scott is a dear friend of mine from my 8 years in Chicago and he is someone I will never forget. Scott was like a brother to me (a brother from another mother as he called it), and I am struggling with the knowledge that I cannot grow old with him as a friend.

I hope everyone is handling this the best they can.

My most heartfelt regrets for not being able to be there in person for his services. I want to express my love to his family and especially to David Shaeffer, whom I got to know through Scott. I can only imagine your pain through all of this, but know all his friends will be there for you.

I will never forget his infectious laughter and his charismatic smile. Those are the things I will always remember, hopefully not this shocking time of mourning.
He also coined me a nickname that has stuck with me for nearly a decade, so I will proudly carry that along knowing whom it came from.

Love to all and one last send off to Scotty my boy,

Cary Dickenson
aka Cary D Funk

We are greatly sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. He always had a nice and friendly smile.

Scott, You have been one of my best, closest, dearest friends my entire life. When I think back to our childhood together, I remember all the things we did together. From great camping trips, to trips to amusement parks to just hanging out and talking. You have been a brother to me and I will miss you desperately. I wish we had more time together, but I love every memory we have shared. You were an amazing, beautiful person who always made me smile. I will continue to smile for you. Love Always, Jessica Albers (Scot, Teegan and Kailey Albers).

I am so sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I used to babysit for Scott and his brothers when they were very little. I was so sad to hear of his passing.