In Memory Of - Hugo Schaefer

We lived in Michigan during the 1980s and our left side neighbor was Hugo Schaefer and his wife. He was up around 5:30 or 6:00 a.m. every morning and would be outside shoveling his driveway, sweeping his driveway, or picking up the endless twigs in his yard. I remember thinking he was old at the time, but apparently he was just in his early 60s and had barely retired from Dow Chemical.

Until reading his obituary, I wasn't aware that he had been instrumental in creating what we know as saran wrap. Of course, even though this amazed me, we did have other neighbors that invented silly puddy, Styrofoam, and made major contributions to the development of aspirin. That's what happens when you grow up in a town of chemists. I mowed lawns, babysat and delivered papers to these types of people. I don't think any of it rubbed off on me, but it's pretty neat that they were so smart.

Hugo warmed up to us the minute we moved in even though he probably didn't realize he was signing up for a loud Mormon family constantly on the go or who had children who made their way across his manicured lawn to ask questions about what he was doing or how his tools worked.

I still remember being so proud of myself if I could wake up before him and go get our driveway, his driveway or the other neighbors driveway shoveled before he got up. I think I only accomplished that once if I'm honest with myself.

I still remember him picking up all the twigs in his yard and then bringing out the golf balls to practice his swing. It seemed to be his reward after cleaning, fixing, sweeping or whatever he was busy accomplishing. His wife never came outside much and most of the time I only saw her when I went to collect the newspaper bill. My brothers would go over to his house a lot while I was at school and apparently they have even more fond memories as he patiently answered their questions or requests to help him with his tasks.

Our street didn't have many kids our age, but it was great that we had the chance to get to know quite a few adults that were probably secretly happy that there were some grandchildren type kids around. I'm glad we got to be part of that experience.

Good times and good memories.

Hugo is the second from the left at one of our annual neighborhood picnics.